INTRODUCTION
This is a quick review of the newly released film Roofman. Please note that this is just one of the many movies I will have watched each year, and my initial grade for this film may change over time, for better or worse. To stay up to date on my thoughts about other movies and any potential changes in my opinion on this one, follow me on Letterboxd.
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PLOT
Via Letterboxd: A former Army Ranger and struggling father turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs, earning him the nickname, “Roofman”. After escaping prison, he secretly lives inside a Toys R Us for six months, surviving undetected while planning his next move. But when he falls for a divorced mom drawn to his undeniable charm, his double life begins to unravel, setting off a compelling and suspenseful game of cat and mouse as his past closes in.
REVIEW
If there’s one thing writer-director Derek Cianfrance is known for, it’s crafting bittersweet stories that leave you hurting but entertained. The Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines, and co-writer of Sound of Metal, surprised many when he chose his next project to be the strange-but-true story of Jeffrey Manchester, a serial burglar and prison escapee who infamously broke into McDonald’s restaurants through the roof and hid inside a Toys R Us for half a year while on the run. Marketing for Roofman has sold it as a lively romantic comedy centered on Manchester’s true-life relationship with a woman named Leigh Wainscott during his time in hiding.
To its credit, the film delivers on that promise. There are genuine laugh-out-loud moments that play especially well with an audience, and the romantic throughline between Manchester and Wainscott adds a surprisingly tender core. While some dramatic liberties are taken, the real-life story is wild enough to sustain that playful tone. What the marketing doesn’t prepare you for, though, is how tragic and bittersweet this film can be. From its opening scenes to its final moments, it’s impossible not to feel heartbroken for Manchester. It’s an unexpectedly emotional watch; a great date-night movie, perhaps, but not one you’ll walk out of with all-smiles either.
Channing Tatum gives what might be the best performance of his career as Manchester, and Kirsten Dunst is equally superb as Wainscott; so much so that I occasionally forgot I was watching Dunst at all. The supporting ensemble is stacked, featuring LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, Peter Dinklage, Ben Mendelsohn, Uzo Aduba, Jimmy O. Yang, and Lily Collins. Unfortunately, the script doesn’t give most of them much to chew on.
In fact, the screenplay could use a bit more substance overall, even for its lead. As good as Tatum is, the film bends over backward to make us sympathize with Manchester. While there are glimpses of a kind-hearted man making bad choices, we never fully see the darker impulses that drove him to point guns at innocent people and lock them in freezers.
At just over two hours, Roofman also runs just a tad too long. It’s not egregious, but a tighter middle act would’ve helped the pacing, an increasingly common issue with modern films.
Still, Roofman is a good time at the movies. It’s ultimately more of a cautionary tale than a love story, but to Cianfrance’s credit, he balances laughter and tragedy with the skill we’ve come to expect from him. I’d give an initial grade on the softer side of a B+.
“TL;DR”
Pros: Channing Tatum in what may just be his greatest performance yet; Balances fun and entertaining moments with more bitter and tragic ones; Good movie to watch with an audience
Cons: Those seeking a fun times at the movies via the marketing for the film might be taken aback by its more tragic moments; Feels a bit undercooked in giving us more depth for the characters; Could have been a bit tighter
GRADING
