Overview
A romantic comedy that explores the tangled web of love and deception in the pursuit of happiness.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- breezy
- warm
- date night
- lazy sunday
What critics said
Critics generally found the Broadway farce engaging and well performed, especially praising the chemistry and Goldie Hawn's breakthrough comic performance despite concerns about occasional drag and dated writing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Julian fabricates a wife and later recruits Stephanie to impersonate her in order to manage Toni's expectations.
The film centers the contrasting comic energies of Walter Matthau, Ingrid Bergman, and Goldie Hawn.
Julian uses a fictional marriage to avoid involvement, while Toni presses him toward a supposedly serious relationship.
Stephanie moves from long-time professional reserve toward a more self-directed emotional life.
Films like Cactus Flower, and why
The Apartment
shared romantic farce, deception-driven complications, and breezy ensemble comedy
Charade
shared screwball misunderstandings, adult romance, and witty comic timing
Barefoot in the Park
shared 1960s romantic comedy style, mistaken identities, and urbane relationship comedy
The Owl and the Pussycat
shared lighthearted romantic deception and star-driven comic chemistry
Movie Details
- Director
- Gene Saks
- Release Date
- 1969-12-16
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (250)
Cast
- Walter Matthau
- Ingrid Bergman
- Goldie Hawn
- Jack Weston
- Rick Lenz
- Vito Scotti
- Irene Hervey
- Eve Bruce
- Irwin Charone
- Matthew Saks
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cactus Flower about?
- A philandering dentist's invented wife forces his reserved receptionist into an impersonation that unexpectedly rearranges three romantic lives.
- What is Cactus Flower like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cactus Flower as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Cactus Flower violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Cactus Flower.
- What did critics think of Cactus Flower?
- Critics generally found the Broadway farce engaging and well performed, especially praising the chemistry and Goldie Hawn's breakthrough comic performance despite concerns about occasional drag and dated writing.
- Which films are like Cactus Flower?
- Films with a similar feel include The Apartment, Charade, Barefoot in the Park, and The Owl and the Pussycat.
- How long is Cactus Flower?
- Cactus Flower runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cactus Flower?
- In United States, Cactus Flower is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
