本片係改編自傑出作家黃春明的三個短篇小說――「蘋果的滋味」、「兒子的大玩偶」及「小琪的那頂帽子」。
內容描繪的是在一個慘澹的年代裏，幾個卑微的小人物在生活的壓力下無盡的掙扎與挑戰，他們的自卑與自尊、歡笑與眼淚、希望與失望，電影本身更以同情的胸懷，傳達出開發中國家的人民，面對外來文明時那種令人心酸的無知。
This episodic film is adapted from novelist Tzen-Ming Hwan’s three short stories: “A Taste of Apple”, “The Sandwich Man”, and “Vicki’s Hat”.
In the miserable years, several downbeat characters fight and struggle for their lives. The film depicts, sympathetically, their self-depreciation and self-respect, laugh and tears, and hope and despair Most importantly, the film shows the heartsore and ignorance of the developing country people when facing the foreign civilization intrution.