Still Pushing Pineapples (12A) Film Review
Dir: Kim Hopkins, UK 2025, 90 mins
Cast: as themselves: Dene Michael Betteridge, Anne Betteridge, Hayley Louise Spridgens
Review by Carlie Newman
It features Dene Michael, who was a member of the pop group Black Lace in the 1980s. The group was known for the huge hit “Agadoo” which was extremely popular in spite of the music press calling it” the worst song ever.”
Now solo, Dene Michael goes around Britain singing in hotels and also to Spain performing “ Agadoo” to audiences at each place. He is accompanied by Anne, his 89-year-old mother, who he looks after, and his new girlfriend Haley. Part road trip and part nostalgia about past times, we see Dene Michael try to change his act by introducing new songs, but really all people want to hear is “ Agadoo” which they enjoy dancing to.
Often amusing- seeing Dene dressed as a pineapple or in very bright shirts- it is also sad as we witness him performing the same song over and over again. There are some lovely moments with his mother who absolutely adores him and claps along merrily as he sings.
It’s a road trip with Dene and the two women but also a close examination of a an erstwhile popstar clinging onto the past. Well-directed by Kim Hopkins, it is very worthwhile catching the film.
