Cactus Flower

Perfectly cast and acted. Ingrid Bergman is luminous. Her zingers are great. Goldie Hawn is adorable. Matthau's facial expressions, as always, are hilarious. The writing is deft. Scenes at the '60s club are priceless. Cannot stop laughing.

Walter Matthau plays the kind of slimy New York "aging youth" that he perfected the year after this film in "A New Leaf". He is outstanding. Bergman is also amazing, as she is in everything. But her role seems too thin for her talent (I cringed when she dances in the disco). Jack Weston (who also excels in "A New Leaf") is very funny here as well. It's easy to see that this movie was a stage play, because it only has 4 sets that it rotates around. The writing is good, Goldie is cute (but an Oscar for her performance is ridiculous) and its generally a good time with some genuine laughs.

Cactus Flower is a fine film. The script, based on the Broadway play of the same name which was produced by David Merrick and starred Lauren Bacall, is excellent. All of the actors are strong. This was Goldie Hawn's first film role. She was riding high at the time as perhaps the most popular cast member of Laugh-In, one of the top-rated shows on TV. She was the ditzy blond who stole the show, but people apparently were not sure she would translate well to the big screen. She did just fine. Walter Matthau and Ingrid Bergman were also in top form.This film is more than just a period piece, but it does have tasty little dollops of 1969 pop culture flavor, including: the albums on the wall of Stereo Heaven, where Goldie's character works; the posters outside the movie theater for Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet and if....; and, the surprising number of instrumental lounge versions of Monkees songs that play in the club.But, again, it is the engaging acting and the fun, well-written storyline that have allowed this film to hold up so well for half a century. Recommended.

This movie was based on a play that was based on another play, Fleur de Cactus.Walter Matthau was 49 when he made this movie. I was a teenager when I first saw it upon its theatrical release. What struck me then as odd was the same thing that struck me now, viewing it again all these years later: what's a 24 year woman (Goldie Hawn) doing with a guy rapidly approaching 50? (Just for the record, Ingrid Bergaman was 54 when she made this movie.) I never could accept that Goldie Hawn's character would fall for someone of Matthau's age (maybe if Cary Grant had played the part?). I still don't find it plausible, but whatever; it's still an amusing premise: what do you do when a perfectly good scheme suddenly goes wrong after working so well for a whole year?I also don't buy the part about Goldie's character being ditzy. She does, after all, get him to snap to attention and do exactly what she wants him to for the rest of the movie.Despite his claim, "I'm the first decent man she's ever met," no one could play a stinker quite like Matthau. He's matched every step of the way by his buddy, the CIA agent, Jack Weston. Everyone in the cast works well together, with Ingrid Bergman firmly grounding them to the reality of the situation. She played my favorite character when I first saw this movie and remains steadfastly so all these years later. Miss Dickinson is no dope.Not exactly a laugh out loud kind of comedy, nonetheless, still proves to be a sentimental favorite and one for my collection.

Funny and good acting

Womanizing Dr. Julian Winston (Walter Matthau) has told his new girlfriend, Toni (Goldie Hawn) that he is married, to prevent the relationship from getting serious. He decides he does want to marry Toni, and tells her that he will get a divorce, but she insists on meeting his wife first. He persuades his longtime nurse Stephanie (Ingrid Bergman) to pretend to be his wife. Stephanie and Toni meet, but things don't turn out just the way Julian had expected.This romantic comedy is pure fun, with great lines and perfect delivery from the two veteran actors. Goldie Hawn's Oscar winning debut performance is a true delight. The sets and costumes looked wonderful, and the supporting cast of Jack Weston, Rick Lenz, Vito Scotti, and Irene Hervey added greatly to the overall experience. This is a film well worth watching.

I had no idea how much I would enjoy this film, but it had me laughing and engaged throughout. The script is excellent: it was witty without being self-conscious and fit with the characters. The plot unfolded beautifully - you didn't know what was going to happen right away, but then things started to become clear. The acting was wonderful and the women were featured as much as the men (they got some of the best lines). Hawn won an Oscar for best supporting actress, but, really, everyone was a "supporting" actor or actress. The cast worked beautifully together and each actor received a chance to shine. Highly recommended!

I viewed this film as a Fresman in High School when it first came out. And now, nearly 50 years later, I've re-watched it for the first time since. It's even FUNNIER now and though styles and music change, the witty script by I.A.L. Diamond has retained it's ability to make one laugh-out-loud at some of the situations and dialogue. For me, the true star of the film is Ingrid Bergman and Walter Matthau. Bergman has nearly all the best lines, and she's an expert at the delivery of those lines. An enjoyable evening spent with this film!

I saw this film for 20 years ago, since I cannot forget it. This movie is a comedy, the story is sweet and sad, and all of the conversation is intellectual. When I saw the scene where Ingrid Bergman played the monkey dance, I was really surprised.Nobody should could not be imagined. Goldie Hawn is very freshness and beautiful and youth is very cute.This is her debut movie.

charming and funny - they don't make films like this anymore - more's the pity!

Big fan of walter matthau at his best

A bit dated with soppy ending

Brilliant movie, all the actors are very funny. Even Ingrid in a comedy role as the nurse in love with her dentist boss (WAlter). Goldie is at her best. Well recommended.