A new documentary film offers a bittersweet glimpse into the life of a 1980s pop star navigating the twilight of his career on what the film describes as the 'sad disco circuit'.
From Pineapple Costume to Frontman
Still Pushing Pineapples, directed by Kim Hopkins, focuses on Dene Michael, a middle-aged performer from Leeds who was once part of the novelty band Black Lace. The group is most famous, and perhaps infamous, for their 1984 earworm hit Agadoo, with its peculiar lyrics about pushing pineapples and shaking trees.
Michael's journey with the band was one of unexpected promotion. Black Lace experienced frequent lineup changes, and Michael initially performed backing vocals while dressed in a pineapple costume. His big break came when frontman Colin Gibb was forced out following an underage sex scandal and the other lead singer, Alan Barton, departed to join the band Smokie. This left Michael to be promoted from his fruity outfit to the role of lead singer, effectively putting him in sole charge of the band's legacy.
Life on the Road and a Sudden Fall
The film follows Dene as he travels the disco circuit from Blackpool to Benidorm, tirelessly performing Black Lace's classic hits to increasingly small and inebriated crowds. He is accompanied by his girlfriend, Hayley, and his sweet, elderly mother, Anne, painting a picture of a family man dedicated to his craft.
However, the documentary takes a dramatic turn when Michael is fired by his manager. The manager holds the legal rights to the trademarked Black Lace name and its song catalogue. This results in a younger singer being appointed to tour under the Black Lace banner, leaving Dene facing a profoundly uncertain future in what is portrayed as the cruel world of showbusiness.
A Story with Missing Chapters
While the movie presents Michael as a nice guy who loves his mum, it has been noted that it sidesteps a more troubled part of his past. In 2016, Dene Michael received a jail sentence for benefit fraud, a fact that the documentary does not address directly. The review suggests that jokey scenes of Dene using a mobility scooter might be a subtle allusion to this period.
Critics argue that a more frank discussion of this chapter would have made for a more interesting and complete portrait, allowing for themes of redemption and sympathy to be explored in greater depth. Despite this omission, the film is said to carry a distinct melancholy, reminiscent of the photographic style of Martin Parr.
Still Pushing Pineapples will be released in UK cinemas on 28 November.
