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Even before Ocean's Eleven, moviegoers have been enamored by the romanticism of the criminal lifestyle. From old-school classics like Alfred Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief to modern-day popcorn thrillers like Now You See Me, audiences can't seem to get enough of movies that depict criminals as Robin Hood-like rogues or dashing ne'er-do-wells. It's a tried-and-true stereotype that has served both filmmakers and viewers well over the years. And with Roofman, director Derek Cianfrance is continuing that cinematic tradition, in this tale of a charming thief with an unorthodox modus operandi. Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum) is an army veteran with an eight-year-old daughter and twin baby boys. But when his wife (Melonie Diaz) leaves him and takes their children, he'll do anything to try and win his family back. Broke and without a decent job to support them, Jeffrey turns to robbing McDonald's restaurants in order to afford a new house and lavish gifts. 45 franchise locations and several states later, however, and his crimes finally catch up to him. Nicknamed by authorities as the Roofman, due to his unique method of break-in, Jeffrey is sentenced to prison for 45 years. But when he makes a bold escape and winds up hiding inside of a Toys "R" Us, that's when things really get interesting. Laying low behind the store's bike display, Jeffrey begins to take notice of one of its employees, Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a stretched-thin single mom of two daughters who's constantly clashing with the store's uncooperative manager, Mitch (Peter Dinklage). But is there anything this well-meaning thief can do to help Leigh out, given his unique circumstances? And even if Jeffrey manages to make his way outside without being recognized, what will Leigh do when she discovers he's a wanted fugitive? A story made all the more interesting by the fact that it's based on events that happened in real life, the result is more of a low-key character drama rather than a flashy heist flick. Nonetheless, what really makes Roofman tick are the sympathetic portrayals from Tatum and Dunst, whose chemistry helps keep the film afloat, even during the frequent lulls in the narrative. Suffice to say, if you're expecting something more feel-good and buoyant, as per the movie's marketing, you may be in for a bit of a disappointment. On the other hand, if you're familiar with Cianfrance's earlier works, then the tone of this one won't surprise. |
Roofman screens under the Gala Presentations programme at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Its runtime is 2 hrs. 6 min.
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