Cactus Flower

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Cactus Flower

PG

Released Dec 16, 1969

1h 43m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Distraught when her middle-aged lover breaks a date with her, 21-year-old Toni Simmons (Goldie Hawn) attempts suicide. Impressed by her action, her lover, dentist Julian Winston (Walter Matthau) reconsiders marrying Toni, but he worries about her insistence on honesty. Having fabricated a wife and three children, Julian readily accepts when his devoted nurse, Stephanie (Ingrid Bergman), who has secretly loved Julian for years, offers to act as his wife and demand a divorce.

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Myles Standish

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

One of the funniest light comedies of the year.

Jun 15, 2022

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Variety Staff

Variety

The plot [from the play by Abe Burrows, based on a French play by Barillet & Gredy] is minimal and the lines are somewhat stilted and hollow, but if the direction was tighter and the mood kept light and airy it might have worked.

Mar 26, 2009

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Howard Thompson

New York Times

It comes as a pleasing jolt to find the youngster, Goldie Hawn, at the apex of the triangle, not only beautifully holding her own with the two veteran stars but also enhancing the content and flavor of the movie.

May 10, 2005

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Hazel Garland

New Pittsburgh Courier

Ingrid Bergman stars in her first Hollywood film in 20 years, and is as usual great. Walter Matthau is always wonderful, but TV's Goldie Hawn almost steals the picture. She should get an Oscar nomination for her role as "Toni."

Jun 15, 2022

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

this is a 1969 romantic comedy with style, wit, charm, sophistication, and several delightful moments of women's lib in action. It also happens to be a great time capsule of late '60s fashion, music, and culture in Manhattan.

Rated: A-

Feb 19, 2018

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TV Guide

A misfire despite the presence of many of filmdom's best talents.

Rated: 2/5

May 8, 2017

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Merick H

I love this movie! It is a charming and funny romantic comedy. My only real knock on it is that the story itself is quite predictable, and I knew how it would end within the first fifteen minutes. It is a pretty formulaic romantic comedy, but it is an enjoyable journey to get there. I love Ingrid Bergman, and I love Walter Matthau, and Goldie Hawn was great in her debut. It should leave you with a big smile on your face!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/12/24

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Alec B

Once the movie morphs into a parody and of mid 20th century American machismo some of the earlier bad sex farce material becomes easier to forgive.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/08/24

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Audience Member

Good one right here recommend it James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas April 28, 2023

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/29/23

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Mark A

Ingrid Bergman, Walter Matthau and Goldie Hawn. What more needs to be said?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/03/23

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Audience Member

A great script (from a play) leads to a movie that just made me smile. I saw this years ago but didn't appreciate how good it is. Goldie is perfect and it is marvelous to remember that Ingrid Bergman was a terrific actress. Watching the late 60's depicted during these politically correct Co-vid times makes me want to board a time machine straight back to that era.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

I barely have the memory of seeing this in 1969. I was 8 and my mother took me to see it. Had my second look 52 years later and was blown away by the acting and charisma of all the leads. Kind of a typical 60's romance-farce but actually feels quite organic as each character finds love. I wish this type of movie was still made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

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Gene Saks

Director

Walter Matthau

Dr. Julian Winston

Ingrid Bergman

Stephanie Dickinson

Goldie Hawn

Toni Simmons

Jack Weston

Harvey Greenfield

Rick Lenz

Igor Sullivan

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Synopsis

Distraught when her middle-aged lover breaks a date with her, 21-year-old Toni Simmons (Goldie Hawn) attempts suicide. Impressed by her action, her lover, dentist Julian Winston (Walter Matthau) reconsiders marrying Toni, but he worries about her insistence on honesty. Having fabricated a wife and three children, Julian readily accepts when his devoted nurse, Stephanie (Ingrid Bergman), who has secretly loved Julian for years, offers to act as his wife and demand a divorce.

Director: Gene Saks
Producer: M.J. Frankovich
Screenwriter: I.A.L. Diamond
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Frankovich Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 1969, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 1h 43m

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