I never venture to the theater for anything other than bad horror. But after viewing the trailer for “Roofman” for an upcoming episode of Hot Takes, my interest was piqued.
The 2025 flick was written and directed by Derek Cianfrance. It’s a crime/comedy based on the true story of serial burglar Jeffrey Manchester. Set in the early aughts, with relics like Blockbuster and Toys”R”Us anchoring retail lots, “Roofman” chronicles the crimes, imprisonment, and subsequent escape of Manchester in a way that’s too absurd to be fiction.
Channing Tatum plays Jeffrey Manchester, and dare I say, Tatum shines with the performance. Mostly brushed off for muscle or sex appeal, Tatum proved to me he’s excellent with a character that strays from his usual roles. We know he’s guilty of armed robbery, that isn’t shielded or saved for a later reveal. Yet we still want him to succeed, and Tatum’s charm is the reason.
Manchester is a former United States Army Reserve non-commissioned officer struggling to support his estranged wife and three young kids. The film makes us sympathetic to Manchester’s situation without excusing his poor behavior. Yes, he loves his children, being particularly fond of his daughter, Becky. He would love to have his ex-wife back, but an inability to keep a job or act as a responsible adult prevents it.
Instead, Manchester uses his military skills and cunning aptitude to become a prolific spree robber. Manchester robbed dozens of McDonalds and other fast-food chains by entering through the roof, thus earning the titular nickname. Manchester committed 40–60 robberies between 1998 and 2000, before his arrest. Due to the use of a firearm, he was sentenced to 45 years in prison. In June of 2004, he escaped.
More Games More Toys Oh Boy!
The gist of the film follows Jeffrey Manchester as a fugitive. Rather than jumping the border, he hides in plain sight in the backroom of a Toys”R”Us in Charlotte, NC.
What seems an impossible task is shown to be otherwise, as Manchester lives in the store for over six months. He eventually meets and has a relationship with Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a single mom who works at the store.
The great Peter Dinklage plays Mitch, the stores’ no-nonsense manager. LaKeith Stanfield acts as Manchester’s friend from the military. Ben Mendelsohn lends support in an unrecognizable way.
June 2004 – January 2005
The period with which “Roofman” takes place is the last great era of civilization as we know it. No smart phones. Limited internet. Brick and mortar retailers like Toys”R”Us exist in what would be their dying days.
I couldn’t help but think about how the story wouldn’t be possible today. The cameras and security systems alone would prevent Jeffrey Manchester from literally living inside a busy retail store for six months. His face was plastered all over local news but without a population glued to their screens, no one recognized him despite his numerous social interactions.
Prison Break
Movies taking place in prison or involving a prison break are always exciting. “Roofman” is no exception. I haven’t been as tense watching a picture in some time. Usually, the fugitive is trying to evade the law by running. Here, it’s the opposite.
Jeffrey Manchester sets up shop in the store and survives in unbelievable style. It’s worth watching just to see how he made it work.
We also know it’s not Hollywood fiction. There are numerous options with which the outcome can flow, none of which are good. My only gripe is the 126-minute run time. It’s not overly long, but trimming a handful of minutes would have been easy.
“Roofman” is a great film. It has a perfect balance of suspense and comedy, with a cute but destined-for-tragedy love story between.
