By John Corrado
The latest film from Derek Cianfrance (The Place Beyond the Pines, Blue Valentine), Roofman is based on the true story of Jeffrey Manchester, a convicted criminal who became known in the media as “Roofman” for robbing a series of McDonalds by cutting a hole through the roof.
Manchester was doing this to support his young family, and didn’t want to harm anyone. He would even make the employees put their coats on before locking them in the freezer so he could rob the place. In telling this story, Cianfrance does a great job of handling the film’s mix of tones, from dark crime comedy to something much sadder. It’s entertaining, but with a real sense of pathos running through.
Channing Tatum stars in the film as Jeffrey. After being sentenced and subsequently breaking out of prison, he takes up residence in a Toys R Us (the production design recreating vintage McDonalds and Toys R Us locations is impressive and a lot of fun). Much of the film takes places while he is hiding and living in this toy store, right under the nose of the manager (Peter Dinklage). Jeffrey develops feelings for and falls in love with Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), one of the employees, and gets a sense of a better life.
The film becomes enjoyable to watch, almost like a romantic comedy. But there is an underlying tragedy to it, because we know any bonds that Jeffrey forms ultimately can’t last. He’s a man on borrowed time as he tries to avoid being discovered. Tatum does an excellent job of portraying the complexities of Jeffrey as a man with theoretically good intentions, who doesn’t really know how not to make terrible decisions in order to provide for those he loves.
The role allows Tatum to deliver some of his finest dramatic work, but also showing an aptitude for moments of physical comedy, as Jeffrey takes on the alias John Zoran. Dunst is wonderful, fleshing out Leigh as more than just the love interest, making the inevitability of where this is going all the more tragic. Cianfrance has crafted something that is completely entertaining as a mainstream crowdpleaser, but one with a little more dramatic weight to it. It’s surprisingly good stuff.
Film Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)
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