The Water Gipsies: A murky, charming relic of the Thames

Is it worth your time?

If you like movies that feel like they were dug out of a basement, yes. It has that very specific 1930s British earnestness that either pulls you in or makes you want to take a nap. If you need pacing that doesn't feel like a leaky boat, maybe skip it. It's for the folks who enjoy the texture of old film grain more than the actual plot.

The whole thing starts on a barge, and honestly, the setting is the best character. You can practically smell the river water and the damp wood. Jane Bell is just trying to live, but her family is a bit of a mess, and her dad is the definition of feckless. It’s a bit of a chore watching her try to manage everything while everyone around her acts like a total child.

The artist thing

Her crush on the artist, Bryan? It's painful. Not in a 'this is a good drama' way, but in a 'please stop standing there while he ignores you' kind of way. It’s a very specific brand of awkward that I think we’ve all felt at least once. She sits there as his muse, and you’re just waiting for him to look up from his easel. He never really does in the way she wants. It's a sad little detail that hangs over the movie like fog.

Then there’s Ernest. He’s all about his Communist ideals and he’s very vocal about it. It’s a funny contrast to the rest of the film which feels mostly focused on domestic squabbles. He’s the anchor, even if he’s a bit of a stick in the mud. I found myself wondering if Jane was just bored or actually liked him.

There is a weird energy in the background that reminded me a bit of the chaos in The Big Burg, though they are totally different beasts. The extras sometimes seem like they don't know where to stand, which I weirdly enjoyed. It makes the world feel smaller, more like a stage play than a sprawling epic.

• The lighting on the water is actually quite nice for the time.
• The dialogue is very clipped. No one talks like this anymore, and it’s kind of refreshing.
• I spent way too long looking at the background furniture.

It’s not perfect. The story drifts around just like the barge. Sometimes you feel like you've missed a scene, other times you feel like you're stuck in one. It reminded me a bit of the uneven charm you find in The Mating, where the sincerity does the heavy lifting when the script gets a bit thin.

Don't expect a big finish. It just kind of… ends. Like a conversation that trails off because someone had to get back to work. It’s an odd little trip down the Thames, and honestly, I didn't hate the detour. 🚣‍♀️