Cactus Flower

Play trailer

Cactus Flower

PG

Released Dec 16, 1969

1h 43m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Myles Standish

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

One of the funniest light comedies of the year.

Jun 15, 2022

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

TV Guide

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

Rated: 2/5

May 8, 2017

Full Review

Read all reviews

Michael V

The prickly stage success that convulsed audiences around the world... with all its barbed wit and the sharpest comedy cast of the year! Cactus Flower is a 1969 American screwball comedy film directed by Gene Saks 🌵 Not bad, but not my favourite either 😉 It’s ok, but I feel mixed about this one 😉 I’d recommend it if you like this genre, but if not then probably give it a miss 👍🏼👎🏼 Distraught when her middle-aged lover breaks a date with her, 21-year-old Toni Simmons attempts suicide. Impressed by her action, her lover, dentist Julian Winston 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, who has secretly loved Julian for years, offers to act as his wife and demand a divorce.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/14/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/29/23

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Gene Saks

Director

Walter Matthau

Dr. Julian Winston

Ingrid Bergman

Stephanie Dickinson

Goldie Hawn

Toni Simmons

Jack Weston

Harvey Greenfield

Rick Lenz

Igor Sullivan

Tempest

55%

73%

Tempest

Watchlist

The Owl and the Pussycat

80%

65%

The Owl and the Pussycat

Watchlist

Lovers and Other Strangers

100%

73%

Lovers and Other Strangers

Watchlist

Murder by Death

63%

82%

Murder by Death

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Murder by Death

Play It Again, Sam

97%

89%

Play It Again, Sam

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now