"Cactus Flower" (1969) - A Quirky Love Story
Cactus Flower is based on a Broadway play which in turn is adapted from an original French one entitled “Fleur de cactus,” by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Gredy. It tells the story of a philandering dentist who doesn’t have any interest in settling down. A fun little rom-com starring a familiar newcomer, two seasoned actors – one of them a legend. So, let’s check out Cactus Flower, a dentist’s quirky love story.
Thapson
Synopsis
Intro
Dr. Julian Winston, a dentist is having the time of his life as he flits between dating different women promising to settle down with them – once his divorce comes through. He has no intention of doing any such thing, and he’s not even married!
Unfortunately for him, his latest girlfriend, Toni Simmons, is a little too serious about his commitment. Toni, who works in a record store, is tired of waiting for him and we find her attempting suicide out of frustration. She almost succeeds, but is saved in the nick of time by her neighbor who plays a critical role in the story as it evolves.
On learning of her attempt, Dr Winston meets, and assures her to “hang in there” as the divorce is just a matter of time. Again, there is no wife or pending divorce.
The Setup
Unconvinced, Toni is curious to know what exactly is up, and what kind of woman Julian is married to. Julian decides to set up a meeting between the two. Problem is, where does he get a wife? His answer lies in the “cactus” in his office. This would be his receptionist/assistant, Stephanie Dickson. Stephanie is as rigid and emotionless as they come, hence the nickname he has given her.
She’s closer to his age, and Julian decides, the perfect candidate to play his “wife.” Having observed his shenanigans from up close, Stephanie wants none of his setup. But, for some reason, she gets curious and decides to pay a visit to the Toni’s record store with her niece and nephew in tow to play their kids. This meeting between the two sets the stage for the movie.
Comedy of Errors
Playing the part well, Stephanie convinces Toni that she’s Julian’s wife. Female intuition is fascinatingly illustrated here as Toni is convinced that Julian’s wife still loves him and their divorce may never materialize. Her intuition is spot on, but not in the way she thinks. Toni wants some more meetings with “Julian’s wife,” and things get really fun going forward as misunderstandings galore with more players pulled into the façade of the impending divorce.
Things get so crazy, they generate stories unto themselves. How does everything sort out? Where do things go with our dentist and Toni? How does Stephanie cope with the changing story lines? How do the other players in the façade fair out? And what about Toni’s young neighbor? You’ll need to watch the movie for the answers to those questions at the hilarious end.
Main Cast
Walter Matthu as Dr. Julian Winston
Walter Matthau is my favorite actor to play these domineering, conniving characters with a streak of humor he’s good at. And he plays this role in his inimitable style.
Ingrid Bergman as Stephanie Dickson
I need not remind anyone of the great Ingrid Bergman. The tall actress was born in Sweden and became a beloved fixture in Hollywood movies due to her beauty and charisma. She plays a wonderful foil as the “cactus” to Matthau’s breezy character. We lost Bergman way too soon at a relatively young age of 67.
Goldie Hawn as Toni Simmons
Already popular at light-headed characters on TV, this is Goldie’s first role on the big screen. And she pulls it off with skill that surprised me too. As the movie starts, I thought I was going to see another lightweight performance from her. But pretty soon she shows her acting chops and plays her part so well, it’s not surprising that producers began to take her more seriously and her future in movies was secured.
The rest of the cast had a primarily comedic role and are a delight to watch.
My Take and Trivia
What can I say except it’s a great comedy in the 60s style and culture? That period is fascinating to me with its quirks, attitudes, and technology. A great little movie where you get to see fabulous Ingrid Bergman almost take a second spot to a new and upcoming Goldie Hawn. For a newcomer, Goldie pulls it off wonderfully and endearingly. Some of the scenes are simply priceless.
Among the rest of the cast, two stand out for me for the sake of trivia:
Rick Lenz shares the same birthdate as Goldie Hawn, albeit some years senior.
Also, just as with Goldie, this movie is his debut on the big screen as well.
Lastly, Eve Bruce, the statuesque Georgia, seems to disappear from the radar after 1975 and we have no idea what she did after that. Also her passing away, in Dallas, is a mystery.
humbi53 / YouTube.com
Conclusion
If you like romantic comedies with a whole lot of misunderstandings thrown in, this is a movie you will enjoy. I especially like the famous “female intuition” angle thrown in – which is fun to watch from a male perspective. Wonderfully written screenplay, proving once again that plays can make wonderful movies, if done right. By the end of the movie, you will discover that “even cactuses have flowers.”
I’ll be back with another movie review soon. Until then, feel free to share your comments and opinions using the link below.
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