Roofman
Dustin Chase
When hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina last September, Channing Tatum was in Charlotte filming “Roofman.” The actor made a surprise visit to Asheville, NC, in a truck with food and supplies. It’s exactly the kind of behavior you would expect from the character he plays in his new film. Based on a true story, “Roofman” explores the kind-hearted criminal Jeffrey Manchester. He received the roof man moniker after breaking into forty-five McDonald’s via their roof. He escaped prison and hid out at a Charlotte-area Toys R’Us, which is where the bulk of this story takes place. Director Derek Cianfrance makes an attempt towards a commercial film despite his previous work, “The Place Beyond the Pines,” “Blue Valentine”, and “The Light Between Oceans” being anything but popular or crowd-pleasing.
Referred to as a “Genius Level Idiot,” Jeffrey Manchester was a retired military man who saw things others didn’t. He was great with numbers, exit strategies, and formulating plans. His weaknesses were kindness and his daughter. Robbing forty-five McDonald’s all in a similar pattern, he locked the employees in the freezer and then called the cops. He stole long enough to get his daughter the bicycle she always wanted. His escape from prison was imminent; he noted, “the best hiding places are in plain sight.” Toys R’Us as a hideout was part genius, until his weakness kicked in. Falling for employee Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), attending her church, and trying to recreate the family he lost.
As unapologetic as this film is, there’s never a single second you forget it’s Channing Tatum....
There are moments in “Roofman” that look like you are watching Tatum in another “21 Jump Street” film. Shoe blading through Toys R’Us in booty shorts, wearing a teddy bear, and a floatie. In other scenes, Tatum is showing more skin here than all the “Magic Mike” films combined. As unapologetic as this film is, there’s never a single second you forget it’s Channing Tatum, even with that atrocious facial hair. More celebrity than actor, it’s Tatum’s genuine charisma on screen, in interviews, and in real life that counterbalances what he lacks on the artistic side. Jeff’s buddy in crime, Steve (an underutilized LaKeith Stanfield), refers to his friend as “Goofy”, which encapsulates Tatum’s performance, Jeffery Manchester’s ideology, and, unfortunately, Cianfrance’s vision for this project.
Guilty of some bait and switch, the “Roofman” trailer sells you something that is fast-paced, comedic, and wildly entertaining. There are sporadic moments of those elements, but this is a somber film. It only works if we feel sorry for the criminal. Tatum makes no effort on the Central North Carolina accent, but Dunst nails it perfectly. In fact, this might be one of her best performances. She fully embodies the character and all the contradictions that go with it. Despite Dunst’s performance, the relationship portion of the film really drags on the pace. It’s here that the narrative loses sight of what we bought a ticket for in the first place. “Roofman” won’t be as memorable as the other live-in-a-department-store flick “Where the Heart Is.” It’s also not entirely a disappointment; it just never finds anything useful to mean or say.
Final Thought
Tatum’s genuine charisma and Dunst's immersion into her character do this film a lot of favors.