Roofman – REVIEW

by

“Roofman” is a true story that feels unbelievable. It follows Jeffrey Manchester, a former soldier and father of three, as he struggles to adjust to civilian life. This difficulty is immediately apparent at his daughter’s birthday party, where his gift is met with disappointment. He’s repeatedly let his family down, and can’t seem to find fulfilling work – a combination of traits that might remind you of Meghan Markle’s struggles.

Jeffrey’s old army buddy, Steve (Lakeith Stanfield), now makes fake passports, and through him, Jeffrey discovers his knack for noticing details. He realizes McDonald’s restaurants are vulnerable through their roofs, allowing him to easily break in and rob them. He successfully pulls this off at 45 locations, but what really stands out to the employees is that he’s always polite and respectful during the robberies.

He was eventually caught and sentenced to 45 years in prison, which understandably led to his wife divorcing him. However, his keen observation skills allowed him to devise an escape plan that actually worked. Afterward, he demonstrated surprising skills as a roofer when he broke into a Toys R Us and began living hidden behind a display, surviving on a diet of M&M’s – a lifestyle that suggests he might have been better suited to advising celebrities like Gemma Collins.

He observes the office staff from a distance – a hilariously terrible collection of every bad manager imaginable, brilliantly portrayed by Peter Dinklage, who clearly enjoys the part. However, it’s Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a single mother, who truly captures his attention. He enters her life through her church, and a romance develops, with her two children eventually accepting him as a father figure. But his elaborate scheme of lies and deceit is bound to fail, especially with a persistent local sheriff (Molly Price) convinced he’s nearby, hiding in plain sight.

Derek Cianfrance, who also directed ‘The Place Beyond the Pines’ (2012), takes a different approach with this film. While he frequently uses extreme close-ups, their purpose isn’t always clear. The biggest weakness of the story, however, is the lack of a convincing explanation for why Jeffrey Manchester so quickly transforms from a devoted father into a criminal.

As a film fan, I’ve always thought Channing Tatum is brilliant at light comedy – movies like ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ and ‘The Lost City’ really show that off. He just has this incredibly charming presence on screen, and he’s perfect as a slightly mischievous, but ultimately good-hearted, character. It’s actually really moving to hear from the real people affected by the crimes the film is loosely based on in the end credits, and it speaks to how likeable he is even playing that role. And Kirsten Dunst? She’s fantastic. After seeing her range in films like ‘Civil War’, ‘Melancholia’, and of course the ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy, it’s easy to see why her character would fall for a guy like Tatum’s – she’s just so relatable and proves what a versatile actress she is.

While stories about people secretly living in hidden spaces aren’t new – we’ve seen similar themes in books and movies like ‘Flowers in the Attic’ and ‘Crawlspace’ – ‘Roofman’ is a well-made and enjoyable film, largely because of its compelling central couple.

Here’s the Roofman trailer….

Read More

2025-10-15 02:24