Review of Cactus Flower (1969) by Bob V — 30 Mar 2011

Delightful comedy which marks the return to Hollywood of legendary in her own lifetime actress Ingrid Bergman, after being exiled over her extra-marital affair with director Roberto Rosselini (which, incidentally, led to the birth of actress Isabella Rosselini). She plays a comedy for the very first time here and although she plays the part of the 'straight guy', her comic timing is rather good, and she manages to carry it off very nicely. Cactus Flower also marks the film dà (C)but of Goldie Hawn, who up until this point was known as the ditsy blonde who always screwed up her lines on "Laugh-In" (a precursor of sorts to shows like "Mad TV). Hawn showed the world what she was capable off and promptly landed herself an Oscar, the only one she's gotten so far, and her career was launched. She deserved the Oscar and the career for playing sweet, not-too-bright Toni with verve and without turning her into a caricature. Walter Matthau rounds out the cast, and he plays his usual grumpy old man, even though he's not all that old yet here.

A colorful cast of supporting characters and plenty of misunderstandings, high-jinx and insane schemes to cover up previous insane schemes that back-fired, ensure that you're wildly entertained for almost two hours of viewing pleasure.