An entertaining film based on a true story, Roofman, about a convicted robber who breaks out of jail and lives undetected in a Toys R Us, is leveled up due to the charm of Channing Tatum.
A good film that is based in reality is always a lot of fun. For me, I find myself watching and enjoying it, but when the credits roll, I have to know the true story. How much of it was fabricated for the film and how much really happened the way they’re telling you it did? After falling down a rabbit hole of information about the actual Roofman, it seems like much of this movie really happened.
Roofman is about Jeffrey Manchester, a military veteran who was arrested for methodically burglarizing fast food restaurants. After climbing in through the roof, he waited in the bathroom until the employees arrived in the morning, stole the cash, and left them in the walk-in freezer (although the interaction was generally a friendly one). Once arrested for this crime spree and put in prison, Jeffrey bided his time until he saw a way to break out. Now on the run, he ultimately hid for months in a Toys R Us in the area, waiting for his opportunity to get out of town safely.
This is a charming film right from the beginning. Channing Tatum stars as Jeffrey, and from the moment he asks the manager of the McDonald’s that he is burglarizing if he has a coat before putting him and coworkers into the walk-in freezer, you are hooked. Tatum has an easy way about him, and particularly after doing some research about the real situation, it seems that Manchester must’ve had some charm as well.
The many scenes of Tatum learning to live in the Toys R Us and creating a space for himself are really fun, and generally the highlights of the film. Between his addiction to Peanut M&M’s, subsisting on baby food, and the Spider-Man sheets that he chooses for his bed (all of which happened in reality too), it’s a little like he is living the dream that many of us have had for so long. Since I was a little kid, I’ve wanted to spend all night in a toy store or convenience store, eating any snacks or playing with any toys that I wanted. Haven’t you?
The supporting cast is good, including Kirsten Dunst as love interest Leigh Wainscott and Peter Dinklage as the mean Toys R Us store manager. Their parts, as well as all of the other supporting roles, aren’t as flashy or endearing, and since Jeffrey (who went by the alias John Zorn while on the run) is the narrator, you are always looking to get back to his thoughts and actions.
Much of Roofman is based on what really happened and it is a really enjoyable movie. But it also makes it clear that even though Tatum is funny and likeable in this role, Manchester did rob establishments and scared a lot of people. The movie makes you think a little bit more about what our military vets may feel that they have to do to get on equal footing with everyone else financially. It isn’t an excuse by any means, but it is definitely a valid message.
A good film that is based in reality is always a lot of fun. For me, I find myself watching and enjoying it, but when the credits roll, I have to know the true story. How much of it was fabricated for the film and how much really happened the way they’re telling you it did? After falling down a rabbit hole of information about the actual Roofman, it seems like much of this movie really happened.
