The marketing push around Roofman oversells its energy; the film itself is a more intimate and somber experience. Derek Cianfrance’s drama revisits the real-life figure Jeffrey Manchester, a former Army man nicknamed Rooftop Robber for climbing into restaurants from above.
After a prison escape, Manchester creates a hidden life inside a Toys “R” Us, staying out of sight for months while staff remain unaware. The movie uses that setup to probe how institutions can trap someone trying to do right by his family.
Performance and mood
Channing Tatum delivers a career-high turn as Jeffrey, guiding us through a restrained, evolving journey. Kirsten Dunst plays Leigh Wainscott, a Toys “R” Us employee and single mother who lends warmth and gravity to their bond.
Craft and nostalgia
Andrij Parekh shoots on 35mm, giving the film texture and a tactile sense of the era, while the story leans into 2004-era brands and storefronts to create a living backdrop.
Heartbreak and verdict
The relationship between Jeffrey and Leigh deepens toward a tragic, undeniable ending. A church moment and the climactic Toys “R” Us sequence land with quiet heartbreak, and a dye-packet gag from the trailer resonates differently in context. Roofman stands out as one of the year’s most affecting experiences.
Roofman is now playing in theaters nationwide.
Source: Original article
