The Butterfly

I suspect that Fruit Punch is one of those films that is best remembered through youthful rose-colored glasses. Watching this 1991 film about young adults finding their way and finding love sounded enticing, but watching it in 2025 was disappointing.

Five buddies decide to go into business together. Fail. Try again. Rinse and repeat. Two of the friends find girls and fall in love, though the way to romantic happiness is rocky.

Full disclosure, this isn’t my favorite type of film, made much worse by the director’s choices. The characters ran around, bouncing off each other, and anything around them like a drunk puppeteer was pulling their strings. Scenes rapidly cut from one to another. Everyone was frenetic and clumsy. Most of the characters were hard to sympathize with. And the acting was pretty abysmal. I was honestly relieved when the credits rolled. If you enjoy 1990s Hong Kong youth comedies you are likely to enjoy this much more than I did. Also, if these actors and actresses are among your faves, it’s probably worth while to watch and see them in their youth. If not, it’s skippable.

20 September 2025