Synopsis
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.
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Cast
- Walter MatthauDr. Julian Winston
- Ingrid BergmanStephanie Dickinson
- Goldie HawnToni Simmons
- Jack WestonHarvey Greenfield
- Rick LenzIgor Sullivan
- Vito ScottiSeñor Arturo Sánchez
- Irene HerveyMrs. Durant
- Eve BruceGeorgia
- Irwin CharoneRecord Store Manager
- Matthew SaksNephew
Recommendations
- 88
Chicago Sun-Times
The three central performances (by Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman and -- wow! -- Goldie Hawn) are so engaging that we find ourselves, despite ourselves, involved in their story. - 80
The New York Times
The picture moves around comfortably in nice color, against some authentic Manhattan exteriors. But it is primarily the verve and skill of the performances, the pungent air of sexual chemistry and the peppery good humor that make the movie so diverting. - 50
TV Guide Magazine
The movie was a misfire despite the presence of many of filmdom's best talents. Diamond's adaptation fails to provide any new wrinkles to the tired plot and Gene Saks's direction is only as good as the material he's been given. - 50
Variety
Cactus Flower drags, which is probably the worst thing that can be said of a light comedy. It's due to sloppy direction by Gene Saks and the miscasting of Walter Matthau opposite Ingrid Bergman. - 50
The New Yorker
Full of forced, unnaturally fast quips that one might, in a state of extreme exhaustion, find fairly funny.
