Reviews
Roofman
Some true stories seem made for the big screen, and Roofman is definitely one of them. If it weren’t based on the real-life exploits of criminal mastermind Jeffrey Manchester, the story would be dismissed as far too preposterous to believe, filled with moments audiences would likely dismiss as pure fiction. Yet, the film balances its unbelievable source material with a surprisingly charming and engaging cinematic presentation.
The story of Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum) is compelling, a journey that earned him the nickname “The Roofman” across the United States. An Army veteran, Manchester turned to a life of crime in an attempt to support his wife and three young children after struggling to reintegrate into society following a tour of duty in the Middle East. Using his intellect and resourcefulness, he devised a highly unorthodox method of survival: breaking into McDonald’s restaurants across North Carolina.
Over time, Manchester robbed more than forty-five locations, becoming infamous for entering through the roofs of fast-food outlets and escaping with the stores’ cash before the morning collection. When he encountered employees during his robberies, he locked them in the freezer but courteously ensured they had coats so they wouldn’t be cold. His crime spree eventually ended with his arrest and a forty-five-year prison sentence for the long list of charges he had accumulated.
While serving his prison sentence, Manchester pulled off a daring escape by hitching a ride on the undercarriage of a transport truck. He made his way back to his hometown of Charlotte, where he hid inside a local Toys “R” Us store. It is this bizarre chapter of his life that director Derek Cianfrance, in his first film outing since 2016, uses as the core of Roofman. The story follows Manchester as he tries to stay under the radar while slowly reintegrating into society through a nearby church, where he meets Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), the film’s love interest.
Channing Tatum proves to be an inspired choice for the role of Jeffrey Manchester. Witness accounts describe Manchester as charming and charismatic, qualities that Tatum naturally exudes and displays throughout the film’s entire runtime. He showcases an impressive range, shifting effortlessly between moments of humor and genuine emotion, making his performance feel authentic and deeply human. Through Tatum’s portrayal, you can feel Manchester’s internal conflict, a good man driven to do bad things out of desperation rather than malice.
Kirsten Dunst leads the supporting cast as Leigh and proves to be another inspired addition to the film. The chemistry she shares with Tatum feels genuine, allowing their relationship to blossom on screen in a believable and heartfelt way. Her emotional connection to Manchester ebbs and flows naturally, like a real relationship, adding depth and authenticity to the story.
Lakeith Stanfield, as Manchester’s best friend Steve, adds another intriguing dimension to the story. Though his screen time is limited, his presence brings emotional depth and highlights the humanity behind Manchester’s choices. Perhaps the standout among the supporting cast is Peter Dinklage, who plays the manager of the Toys “R” Us where Leigh works and where Manchester is hiding out. Dinklage excels in a semi-villainous role, balancing sharp comedic timing with just enough menace to make him both entertaining and easy to root against.
A special shoutout goes to production designer Inbal Weinberg, who restored a real-life abandoned Toys “R” Us location for the film. Her work makes the store look incredibly authentic, so much so it could pass for a thriving location at the height of its glory. It’s a true testament to her skill and attention to detail.
Roofman often leans more into rom-com territory than the crime biopic genre, and how much you enjoy it will largely depend on your expectations going in. When the film embraces its rom-com side, it succeeds, delivering laugh-out-loud moments as well as memorable, emotional scenes that make you root for the blossoming relationship between Manchester and Leigh.
For all that Roofman does well, and there’s a lot, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated by some of the narrative choices. Jeffrey Manchester’s robberies are incredible, yet we only see them in detail during the opening sequence. Expanding the opening act to explore the criminal side of his life, rather than focusing so heavily on the romance, could have elevated the film to a whole new level. Because the story prioritizes the romance, the two-hour-and-six-minute runtime occasionally feels bloated, with scenes that could have been trimmed without diminishing the film’s overall impact.
Despite a few minor gripes, Roofman is a thoroughly entertaining film that rewards multiple viewings. It may not yet be at the top of everyone’s watchlist, but with positive word of mouth, it could easily become a favourite movie of the year for many viewers.
