CACTUS FLOWER!

Adapted from the Broadway play, Toni Simmons (Goldie Hawn, in her Oscar Winning Debut as a "20 something" free spirit) is carrying on a romance with an older dentist with commitment issues. Toni believes that the only reason her married lover (Walter Matthau) won't leave his wife is because of the children. The only problem with this line is that her lover, dentist Julian Winston, D.D.S. doesn't have any children! Oh, I should mention that Julian doesn't even have a wife! He's in so much demand from women that he just tells them this to avoid getting involved. Not quite ready to leave bachelorhood behind? You bet. When the good dentist finally decides to "take the plunge" with Toni, she becomes curious and insists on meeting his wife first! Smart girl! This is hysterical as it fits Goldie Hawn's personality so well. Never at a loss for fall-backs, Julian recruits his long-time nurse/receptionist Stephanie Dickinson (Ingrid Bergman) to play the part. Bergman after a 20-year absence from the American screen plays a woman closer to Jullian's age and with conviction. Secretly, she has pined for him. I should mention that Dickinson's "lover" (Jack Weston) also happens to have a love affair with a younger lady (Eve Bruce).

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While admittedly dated by today's movie standards, I chose this film because it's not a deep film that requires analysis. You just take it for what it is--a simple story. Ah, but wait. The Hawn and Bergman roles are played so effortlessly you forget they are "acting". The film intentionally does not take itself seriously. But it's funny and amusingly human. So, I chose it! And what a cast!

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Directed by Gene Saks (Law & Order, Deconstructing Harry, Nobody's Fool and Lovesick-Gene's acting and directing roles date back to 1951) Goldie Hawn WON both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for the role of Best Supporting Actress. When she wasn't present at the Oscars, Raquel Welch accepted the Award for Goldie. Interestingly, Ingrid Bergman ("Casablanca", "A Woman Named Golda") supervised the makeup for this film. You'll love this bit of trivia! The play opened on December 8, 1965 at the Royale Theatre in New York City starring Lauren Bacall and Berry Nelson with Brenda Vaccaro. Four years later the play made it to American cinema. Writers: Pierre Barillet (play), Fleur de Cactus (as Barillet) & Jean-Pierre Gredy: play Fleur de Cactus (as Gredy) & Abe Burrows (The Play); Cast: Walter Matthau....Dr. Julian Winston; Ingrid Bergman....Stephanie Dickinson; Goldie Hawn....Toni Simmons; Jack Weston....Harvey Greenfield; Rick Lenz....Igor Sullivan; Vito Scotti....Senor Arturo Sanchez.

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If you like "escaping" to a simple movie, I think you'll love this one!

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ENJOY! :)

(For: Ingrid Bergman and Walter Matthau)