Roofman
Channing Tatum has seldom been better in the true story of a crook whose victims are charmed by his politeness and concern for their well-being.
Coming out on top: Channing Tatum
Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
In Roofman, which announces itself as “a true story,” Jeffrey Manchester is portrayed as a handsome, fun-loving, charming, sweet-natured, generous, charismatic, resourceful and considerate kind of guy. In short, he brings sunshine and sprinkles small miracles into the lives of all the people he comes into contact with. He is also on the run from the police for armed robbery and kidnapping (which comes with a prison sentence of 45 years). The film, which marks an all-too-rare outing for the director Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines and The Light Between Oceans), is one of those unbelievable-but-true scenarios that truly beggars belief. Cianfrance’s masterstroke was to design the film as a character study and to focus on the people that become a part of Manchester’s life while he is in hiding, largely in a hollow compartment of a Toys ‘R’ Us in Charlotte, North Carolina.
To make Manchester an even more appealing protagonist, Cianfrance has cast Channing Tatum, who gives one of his most engaging performances to date. Of course, Tatum brings a physical dimension to the role which may be something of a cheat, perhaps even an undeserving advantage to the real-life criminal. But within the parameters of Cianfrance’s affecting, funny and unexpected crime romance, he makes for appealing and goofy company. In the supporting ranks, Kirsten Dunst is on top form as a single mother of three drawn to Manchester’s munificence and six-pack, while Peter Dinklage is excellent as her self-assured, mean-spirited boss, the manager of Toys ‘R’ Us. The film’s strength rests in its attention to detail, an edge that Manchester himself benefitted from, being praised for his observational skills by his friend and army colleague Steve (LaKeith Stanfield), who describes him as the “smartest dumb n***** I ever knew.” Which might explain how Manchester managed to rob forty-five establishments without being caught, usually by breaking in through the roofs of the premises.
Filming on 35mm, Cianfrance brings a grainy, washed-out look to the film, choosing to shoot in nondescript locations in an around Charlotte, making Manchester’s temporary home in Toys ‘R’ Us all the more of a garish contrast. It also focuses attention on the characters, most of whom are sympathetic figures one seldom comes across in such crime films. Even the normally shifty, menacing Ben Mendelsohn is allowed to project genuine empathy as a local pastor, bringing God’s love to his adoring congregation. It is this absence of violence and brutality that distinguishes Roofman from the run-of-the-mill and provides a human dimension that works in favour of the drama. It really is an extraordinary story, and a touching and funny film, with a crook whose greatest weakness is his inherent goodness, a welcome addition to the canon of true-life crime.
JAMES CAMERON-WILSON
Cast: Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Ben Mendelsohn, LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, Melonie Diaz, Uzo Aduba, Lily Collias, Jimmy O. Yang, Peter Dinklage, Emory Cohen, Molly Price, Tony Revolori, Kennedy Moyer.
Dir Derek Cianfrance, Pro Jamie Patricof, Lynette Howell Taylor, Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montgomery and Dylan Sellers, Ex Pro Channing Tatum, Derek Cianfrance, Jonathan Montepare, Charles M. Barsamian, Rick Covert, Jack Selby, Sam Romano, Jonathan Glickman, Thom Zadra, Matthew Von Waaden, D. Mark Von Waaden, Chris Parker, Tyler Zacharia and Jeff Portnoy, Screenplay Derek Cianfrance and Kirt Gunn., Ph Andrij Parekh, Pro Des Inbal Weinberg, Ed Ron Patane and Jim Helton, Music Christopher Bear, Costumes Erin Benach, Dialect coach Thom Jones.
High Frequency Entertainment/Hunting Lane/51 Entertainment/Limelight-Paramount Pictures.
125 mins. USA. 2025. US Rel: 10 October 2025. UK Rel: 17 October 2025. Cert. 15.
