My 150 Favorite Movies - #115

She's Gotta Have It (1986)

Spike Lee's first feature-length film is still my favorite of all his work. She's Gotta Have It is just darling, indicated as such even in the name of his heroine, Nola Darling. Darling is juggling relationships with three suitors, while attempting to maintain her independence. One of these suitors, Mars Blackmon, played by Lee, portrays comedic desperation excellently by use of his continual refrain, pleasebabypleasebabyplease babybabybabyplease. She's Gotta Have It also served as a showcase for the Brooklyn neighborhoods where it was filmed. Lee won the Best First Feature Award at the 1987 Independent Spirit Awards.