I have been watching this movie with growing irritation. What is the message or meaning? The main character does not evolve and is basically a bastard and a coward. Sorry, but all it did was irritate me......... Of course it sketches life (more specific the atmosphere on the rivers with its boats) in Britain during the time it is set in a bit, but not in a way that it add something knowledgeable or goes deeper in on the problems of that time. I also find the movie very predictable. Every time Joe meets a women, you know what is going to happen and the irritation grows. Dark, very dark and useless. I can not see the "art" in it, if that was the meaning.