Directed by: Derek Cianfrance
Written by: Derek Cianfrance and Kirt Gunn
Run Time: 2 hours 6 mins

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Whether it be dancing circles around his co-stars in Step Up (2006), goofing off as an undercover cop in 21 Jump Street (2012) or making audiences hot under the collar in Magic Mike (2012), Channing Tatum has proven time and again that he just has it – that rare star power charisma that any leading man would kill for. And he doesn’t just have it; he has it in spades, making his casting as a charming criminal in Derek Cianfrance’s latest drama, Roofman feel just as plausible as it is inspired.

Cianfrance’s film follows Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum), a convicted criminal newly on the run after escaping prison. Convinced he’s more likely to evade capture if he stays put in one place, he decides to set up camp in a quiet corner of a busy Toys “R” Us store. But after successfully hiding out amidst the aisles for several weeks, Jeffrey becomes increasingly restless as he starts to fall for one of the store’s employees, struggling single mother Leigh (Kirsten Dunst).

In an age increasingly obsessed with true crime, it’s refreshing to welcome a genre example that comes with such a distinct levity to it. Its subject isn’t a serial killer, the crimes committed aren’t particularly reprehensible and there aren’t any overly gruesome acts of violence. Instead, Roofman offers a more lighthearted, character-driven account of this unbelievable true story. While its unprecedented turn of events gives the film an immediate sense of intrigue that allows it to emerge as a more interesting option in an already overcrowded genre.

We first meet Jeffrey mid-robbery as he breaks into a McDonald’s through the roof, hence his titular nickname “Roofman”. The film could have easily followed his impressive run of burglaries – he robbed over forty McDonald’s across two years before being caught and sentenced – but with such a wild progression to his story after this, his initial crime spree becomes only a short section within the first act. This variety, that sees him subsequently escape from prison and hideout in such a well-known toy store, keeps Roofman consistently entertaining, never once struggling with its pacing, despite exceeding the two hour mark.

Between scooting about on his heelys and feasting on peanut M&M’s Jeffrey’s late-night antics in Toys “R” Us are entertainment enough, but Roofman builds on the foundation of this amusing premise with a surprisingly sturdy romantic subplot too. After observing Leigh at work for a number of weeks and secretly helping her to defy dictatorial store manager Mitch (Peter Dinklage), Jeffrey takes on an undercover alias in order to properly meet her. Taking advantage of his well-stocked surroundings he manages to win her attention by providing a generous donation towards her church’s toy drive, and it isn’t long before the pair hit it off. What follows is a really endearing romance, but one built on such precarious circumstances that it could cave in at any moment.

Yet, while the structural integrity of their relationship is always a little shaky, both Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst are thoroughly reliable in their roles, holding up this true crime caper with confidence. They share a genuine chemistry — one that yields plenty of delightfully comedic moments, but also a deeper connection born from their shared longing for something they both know, deep down, probably can’t last.

Tatum’s leading turn isn’t just built on his trademark charm either; he brings a quiet, emotional edge to the role, tapping into the heartache of Jeffrey’s fractured familial past alongside the tentative hope of his new beginning with Leigh. The result is a painful portrait of an unnecessarily insecure, misguided man so desperate to provide for those he loves that he fails to see that all they really want is him. It’s some of Tatum’s best work, and crucially Cianfrance understands his ability, giving that natural charisma enough dimension to ensure that Roofman brings the whole damn house down.

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Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

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