Watch Cactus Flower

Cactus Flower is a romantic comedy film that was released in 1969. The movie was directed by Gene Saks and stars Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman, and Goldie Hawn in lead roles. The film is set in New York City and revolves around the life of a middle-aged dentist named Julian Winston played by Walter Matthau who is having an affair with a flighty, free-spirited young woman named Toni played by Goldie Hawn. Winston is not interested in making a commitment to her or any other woman until Toni convinces him that she wants to get married. Julian realizes that he needs to break off the affair, but he does not want to hurt her feelings.

To avoid marriage, Julian devises a plan and tells Toni that he is already married and has children. Toni, who is hesitant about getting married, insists on meeting his wife and children. So Julian turns to his nurse Stephanie Dickinson played by Ingrid Bergman to pretend to be his wife and she agrees to play along.

As the plan unfolds, there are several twists and turns. Julian's best friend Harvey, played by Jack Weston, also gets involved, causing further complications. Additionally, Stephanie develops feelings for Julian, and he must decide whether to commit to her or continue the sham marriage with Toni.

The movie is a classic example of the romantic comedy genre of the '60s. It features witty dialogue, clever plot twists, and great performances by its stars. Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman, and Goldie Hawn deliver exceptional performances and have a great on-screen chemistry. The film earned Hawn her first Academy Award for her role as Toni.

Cactus Flower was originally a successful Broadway play written by Abe Burrows, and the screenplay for the movie adaptation was also written by Burrows, which helped to keep the spirit of the original production alive. The film's comic timing, hilarious situations, and romantic subplots all stayed true to the stage play, which helped to create a successful transition from stage to screen.

One of the most significant themes of the movie is the power of love and commitment. Julian, the main character, goes from being a commitment phobic middle-aged man to someone who is open to starting a real relationship. The film emphasizes the importance of honesty and trust in relationships and shows how lying can have terrible consequences.

Another theme of the movie is the importance of personal growth. Julian is portrayed as an immature man who is stuck in his ways and unwilling to make a commitment. However, by the end of the movie, he learns the value of love and commitment and is willing to take a chance on a real relationship.

Overall, Cactus Flower is a delightful romantic comedy that will put a smile on your face. It's a charming movie that showcases the talents of its cast and remains a classic example of romantic comedy cinema. The film is a must-watch for fans of the genre and anyone looking for a feel-good movie that will give them a few laughs.

Cactus Flower is a 1969 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 67.