Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Cactus Flower

I recently discovered this little gem of a movie at the library last week.

It's called "Cactus Flower" and it stars Goldie Hawn, Walter Matthau, and Ingrid Bergman.



The 1969 film was the first for Goldie and it earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

The film is kind of dorky, but sweet. Walter Matthau plays Julian, a dentist who pretends to be married so he won't have to settle down with his 21-year-old girlfriend, Toni (played by Goldie). When Toni declares she wants to meet his other half, Julian asks his secretary (played by an alarmingly plain Bergman) to act as his wife. Obviously, hilariousness ensues.

The film is a bit odd. It never explains what Toni finds attractive about the washed-up dentist. He's not particularly wealthy or good-looking. He doesn't even have that great of a personality.

Plus, it was kind of perplexing that in all the time she had been living in her Greenwich Village apartment, Toni seemed to never have noticed her hot 20-something year old beatnik neighbor, Igor. Um, this is a guy who walks around her apartment complex shirtless for no reason throughout the film.

The only aspect of the film that really made me cringe, however, was Ingrid Bergman. I always remembered Ingrid as the beautiful Golden Era movie star who took my breath away in Casablanca. Any memory of that I had is gone. Now when I think of Ingrid Bergman, all I can remember is her dancing awkwardly to a go-go beat with Goldie Hawn, trying so hard to look hip when she just looked like a middle-aged woman with no sense of rhythm. My heart cried. And the costumes didn't do any justice to the Hollywood legend, they just made her look frumpy.



But, of course, the acting and plot are not the reasons I love this film.

It is all Goldie.







Her character is adorably nutty and utterly fabulous. Toni lives in a tiny studio apartment that she decorates with the bright neon colors of the late 1960s. She works in a popular record shop, where she gets to wear cool artsy clothes and hang out with hipsters. She loves to dance no matter where she is. She is young, full of life and energy and sweetness, and loving every second of it.







If you love fabulousness and you love comedy and you love fashion, go rent this film.

Did I mention it's quite a gem?

49 comments:

C A said...

Hi, love love lvoe that movie darling ^^
Come check out Dolce & Madonna ;)

@ MaisonChaplin.blogspot.com

FASHION CHALET said...

Aw cute, I love her and Kate Hudson =) walter mathous is pretty funny as well, will have to keep an eye out for that one!




x

Melanie's Randomness said...

I love Goldie Hawn. I think she's absolutely hysterical!! I actually have never seen Cactus Flower. I've seen clips of it on like ya know montagues in award shows but never caught it. That's Ingrid Bergman??? The lady from Casablanca??? That's a weeeee bit weird. It seems like this is one of those quirky 60's movies, maybe I'll get it from the library.

Aww sweetie you are an awesome friend. Thank you for the comment earlier. It's rough but I'm getting through it and amazing people like you are helping and I owe you & everybody so much. *BIG HUGS* =)

Etrapar said...

she is so sweet ^.^
kisses

Cafe Fashionista said...

Ooh, I think I would love this film - what a wonderful review. You have convinced me to rent it for the weekend! :)

Keith said...

Wow! That looks so cool. I've never seen it before. What a cast. I'll definitely have to try to check it out. Have a fantastic weekend. Cheers!

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

I've never seen it but it looks interesting. I'm in love with the necklaces in the shot where she's wearing the yellow turtleneck!

Barry said...

I never saw this movie (never even heard of it until now). That's a shame about Bergman. She was so beautiful in Casablanca, one of my all-time faves. But then again, how do you top that?

You've talked about Barbra before; have you seen What's Up Doc? She was pretty charming in that film.

Barry said...

Jen, thanks so much for your beautiful words regarding Guy. I didn't want to post about it last night as yesterday was your day and I didn't want to take away from it.
You're a sweet friend. =)

Hugs,

Barry

Leah said...

I love this movie... yes, because of Goldie's character. And I agree the movie kinda made Ingrid not the classy lady I knew from Casablanca.

Sophie said...

Oh I have never heard of this film before it sounds like it would be worth seeing, unfortunately there is no where near where I live that i can rent a DVD from. But will have to check it out at some point! Thanks so much for your really sweet comment! xo
teacups-and-saucers.blogspot.com

Tights Lover said...

Looks good, loved your review. Too bad about Bergman...hopefully it didn't ruin her for you.

FionaHW said...

Love this post,
wicked,
The Hunter xxx

chic femme said...

Never seen that movie, but now I am going to have too. Goldie, what can you say, but look at her eyes. :) Big, bright, and bold. :)

Elaine said...

That's awesome! I want to check that out now! :)


clothedmuch.blogspot.com

Liya said...

i just LOVE goldie

linked you on mah blogggggg

xo

myglitteringcreation.blogspot.com

Maria Confer said...

I adore Goldie, I'll have to rent it!!

lululetty.blogspot.com

Lexy @ QUIRKY EXPLOSION said...

Wow, that's so cool! I'll definitely have to check out that movie. I haven't been the greatest at watching old movies, but I think it'll be something I'd enjoy. Thanks for posting!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
girlwiththebowtie.blogspot.com

Tom Bailey said...

Goldie has so many sides to her... one of a kind. Her personal life really tainted how she will be remembered I think.

Great pics and work putting all of this together.

Sydnie said...

Goldie is gorgeous, and she has a fantastic fashion sense! She dresses just like a princess.

Sydnie
www.takemeouttotherunway.blogspot.com
Enter my Chickdowntown giveaway now!

Emily said...

i've never heard of it before, but i guess i'll have to check it out!!
xx
neutraltuesday.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

You did a good review! Young Goldie is hot on those pictures. :)

Nandi said...

Goldie Hawn never ceases to amaze me! And I just adore Kate Hudson!

Her character in that movie somewhat reminds me of ole Holiday Golightly.

starbrained said...

AHAAA Goldie is fabulous. Poor Ingrid. Casablanca was her magnum opus, I guess.

Unknown said...

love this film! not many people know how funny Goldie can be :)

Missy
For all things fashion:
http://thefashionfusion.blogspot.com

yiqin; said...

Love the hair <3

Hanna Holliday said...

oh, she always manages to look fabolous!

Syed said...

Goldie Hawn = AMAZING. Lol, sounds corny, but I shall definitely have to check it out! Hope you're having a beautiful weekend :)

Ela said...

Jen, I love that you discover movies that I've never even heard of and how you leave me intrigued :)
And are these photos aren't all from this movie are they? Because if they are, I'm going to have to rent it for the fashion and hair alone!
I'm really loving her hair here. Like want to cut my hair right now loving...
Happy weekend, hon!

C A said...

hi, thanks for the comment!" new posts wanted :)
Come to see a video of Jimmy Choo for H&M and Philippe Starck interiors ;)

@ MaisonChaplin.blogspot.com

Melanie's Randomness said...

awww I read your last comment to me about the diner story with you & your bf and it's just awww & adorable. Your awesome. I wish you lived on the east coast. =)

Chicago Chic said...

I now want to see this!!
xoxo

Audrey Allure said...

i will definitely check out that movie! sounds interesting :)

Sierra said...

I just love Goldie, she is such a good actress and I love how you are renting some unique films. I got those mini series you were talking about but haven't watched them yet...I will let you know what I think. Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Nubiasnonsense said...

Sounds like a great movie, I'll have to check it out.

Nubiasnonsense said...

Sounds like a great movie, I'll have to check it out.

Naddy Sane said...

Ohh looks fun and fabulous <3

nad x

Phoebe Rose said...

Oooh this sounds sweet :) I love Goldie, I better check it out!

http://flowergirlfashion.blogspot.com/

M said...

Goldie was so cute in her heyday.... poor Kate H has a lot to live up to.

Also, just wanted to check in here to let you know you won the Twillypop giveaway! Congratulations hun! When you have a minute, head over to my blog to get further instructions. :)

XOXOXOXOX

Julia said...

I've never heard of this movie before but I'm tempted to watch it now! I love Goldie's costumes, they're so fun and hip!

xoxo

www.fashioneye.typepad.com

Children of the 90s said...

Love love Goldie Hawn! I've never seen this movie, though. I might have to check it out :)

The Sydney Girl said...

hii gorgeous!
wow goldie looks amazing! and the film seems interesting!
hope you had a lovely weekend!
add me to facebook if you have ittt :)
http://tinyurl.com/yew4byl
xxx

Niki said...

lovely, thanks for the recommendation! gotta love goldie.
xo
-niki

http://ahautemess.blogspot.com

Christina Lee said...

I sewar Goldie looks nearly the same!

lorenabr said...

It´s a great movie Love it!:)

Couture Carrie said...

Oh, I just love vintage Goldie!!

xoxox,
CC

Robin said...

How adorable is she? I love her hair around that cute little face!

DS said...

she's so gorgeous, I love all these photographs of her!

Anonymous said...

I saw this movie yesterday and I found it stupid. I may have liked it 50 years ago but today it just seemed stupid. I agree with you about how Ingrid Bergman was presented. She is a big movie star and if the role calls for her to be dowdy as it does here, at least she should be "Hollywood dowdy" with always a touch of glamour. Ange her costumes were terrible, didn't fit well, or drape well. I know nothing about costumes but even I could tell these were bad. That shines blue dress made her look fat. Goldie looked great but she was so young she couldn't have looked bad if she wanted to.