Cactus Flower is a 1969 American comedy film directed by Gene Saks and based on the Broadway play of the same name by Abe Burrows, which in turn was based upon the French play Fleur de cactus by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Grédy. The film stars Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman, and Goldie Hawn.
In the movie, 21-year-old Toni Simmons (Goldie Hawn), a beautiful blonde with a carefree attitude, is in love with a dentist, Julian Winston (Walter Matthau), who is in his fifties. Julian, who is commitment-phobic, has told Toni that he is married with three children in order to avoid getting involved in a serious relationship. However, when Toni attempts suicide after Julian breaks a date with her, he realizes how much he cares about her and decides to marry her.
But there's a problem—Toni insists on meeting Julian's wife and children. To solve this dilemma, Julian turns to his trusted nurse, Stephanie (Ingrid Bergman), for help. Stephanie, who has secretly loved Julian for years, agrees to pretend to be Julian's wife and demand a divorce so that he can marry Toni without revealing his lie.
The plan seems to be working perfectly until Toni starts to suspect that Julian and Stephanie are more than just friends, and starts to question their relationship. The situation is further complicated by the arrival of Toni's ex-boyfriend Harvey (Rick Lenz), who is determined to win her back.
Cactus Flower is a charming and funny romantic comedy that showcases the comedic talents of its stars, particularly Goldie Hawn, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role. The film is also notable for its portrayal of unconventional relationships and for addressing serious themes such as honesty, betrayal, and mental health.
