THE STORY – A US military veteran unable to make ends meet, Jeffrey gets caught robbing McDonald’s restaurants to provide for his kids. He’s tried, sentenced, incarcerated — and promptly breaks out. While on the run, he finds his way into a Toys “R” Us, where he crafts a makeshift hideout behind a wall. Months pass, the manhunt is all but forgotten, and Jeffrey finds himself falling for Leigh, one of the store’s employees. A connection is forged, though Leigh knows nothing of Jeffrey’s criminal status nor his current residence inside her workplace.
THE CAST – Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Ben Mendelsohn, LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, Uzo Aduba, Jimmy O. Yang & Peter Dinklage
THE TEAM – Derek Cianfrance (Director & Writer) & Kirt Gunn (Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 126 Minutes
Director Derek Cianfrance has proven himself as a master romance storyteller, especially those that don’t always give us happy endings. Whether it’s the heartbreaking couple in the midst of collapse in “Blue Valentine” or one hoping for a new start in “The Place Beyond the Pines,” Cianfrance knows exactly how to pull audiences into characters’ lives and make them ride emotional rollercoasters. His latest film “Roofman” might not seem like it’s tied to his usual formula given how funny it is, but stick with it long enough and you’ll find yourself in the midst of another couple headed for a heartbreaking finale. Starring the ever-charming Channing Tatum in a role that plays into so many of his strengths, and a stellar Kirsten Dunst, “Roofman” delights in so many ways, especially as a hard-to-believe true story.
Before Jeffrey Manchester (Tatum) was known as “The Roofman,” he was a veteran and father to three young children just trying to do right by his family. But financial problems got in the way of a lot of bliss. Steve (LaKeith Stanfield, who is unfortunately underused), his old Army friend who runs a passport forgery business, encourages him to get involved in a life of crime because of his fast brain and astute observational skills. Before long, he’s making a name for himself as the Roofman, the criminal who drops in on dozens of McDonald’s restaurants from the roof to steal money. As skillful as Jeff is, he’s also a bad criminal because he cares about people. The opening scene is a charming example of that, as Jeff locks three employees in the freezer and gives one of them his coat so that they’re not too cold in there. It’s so easy to believe with Tatum, an actor with warm eyes who you would happily lend a jacket to if he were cold, in the driver’s seat.
Unfortunately for Jeff, he gets caught and is sentenced to 45 years in prison. But this conniving criminal isn’t there for too long as he thinks up a smooth and impressive plot to escape. It’s one of several scenes in this film that utilizes so many of Tatum’s skills — his athletic prowess that makes him quick on his feet, and his likability that makes you put so much trust into him. His journey eventually leads him to a Toys “R” Us (this is 2004 after all), where he puts together every kid’s dream hideout with a superhero bed, endless nights of playing in the store, and eating all the candy his teeth can endure. Again, Tatum gets to be playful as he settles into this new life, but his sincerity really shines once he meets Dunst’s Leigh, a recently divorced mother who happens to work at the store. His need for connection is ever present, especially as his family has distanced themselves from him, and Leigh’s kind soul is exactly what he’s been missing.
It’s here when the signature Cianfrance touches are most felt. Tatum and Dunst build up such a loving and organic relationship between “John,” the made-up government employee he introduces himself as, and Leigh. His suave moves are off the charts – we practically melt when he tells her she looks like a goddess after a romantic morning together – and Leigh brings him more and more into her life, both with her involvement at church and with her teen daughters. It’s quite sweet to see him try so hard to get the girls to like him, which proves a lot harder with her eldest (Lily Collias), and only makes us love his character more. Dunst, too, is effortlessly charming as Leigh, a woman who constantly fights for the people she cares about, such as encouraging one of her coworkers (Emory Cohen) to stand up to their unsympathetic boss Mitch (an always fun Peter Dinklage). But there’s also a lot of sadness as this romance unfolds. Jeff is still on the run after-all, and even though his feelings for Leigh are very real, their whole relationship is built on so many lies. There are definite red flags raised about the fact that he’s watching her all day long at work, but the screenplay doesn’t choose to dig into that at any point.
In general, Cianfrance and co-writer Kirt Gunn take good care with the way that they present Jeff. Hiding out at a Toys “R” Us is certainly hilarious and there are funny moments throughout the film, but they never treat Jeff as a joke or make fun of him. There is a lot of pain that he has to grapple with, like losing his freedom and family, that the film very much becomes a tragedy. Some may have issues with the way that he’s always presented mainly as a great guy who just happens to be a criminal and not just a criminal, but sometimes really good people are forced to do really bad things. As the film enters its third act, he’s put back in a difficult situation that forces him to face a lot of hard truths about his future, particularly the one he’s building with Leigh. Cianfrance hits us with gripping and heartbreaking moments here, and Dunst really seals the deal with her nuanced performance.
“Roofman” is another standout film from Cianfrance who continues to pull us in with fascinating character studies and explorations of humanity. Tatum delivers on every level, giving one of his very best performances thus far in his career, and Dunst gives so much through her subtle, emotional work. “Roofman” will easily become one of the year’s most charming films.
