Jeffrey Manchester is one charismatic guy. He's smart, humble, funny and attractive. Sounds like a catch, right? Sure, he's played by Channing Tatum in the film, so that last part may only be true in this instance, but Roofman is 'based on a true story'.
The fly in the ointment: Manchester, a former Army Ranger, was discharged with no employable skills. Unless he migrates into paid-security work, which doesn't seem to be an option, he's living a poor man's life with rich man's dreams. He's a family man, with a daughter and twin sons, who can't put a roof over his family's heads, or pay child support, so he's on the outs with his soon-to-be ex-wife.
While hanging with his best friend and ex-Army buddy, Steve (LaKeith Stanfield) and wondering what to do with himself, Steve points out to Jeff that his 'secret power' is noticing details. Jeff can walk into a room, or down a street, and be aware of incidental details; he also retains that knowledge. If only he can find a way to put that to use. However in no way is Steve suggesting that his buddy become someone skirting the law like himself. And yet...
To make some quick cash and put that 'power' to use, Jeff's turns to burglary. He cases local McDonald's during the day, checking for cameras. Then, in the dark of night he pounds his way through the roof, drops into the store, grabs the cashbox and vanishes. He's so successful at this that he soon purchases a home for his now-reunited family and throws mega birthdays for his daughter. His family has no idea where the money actually comes from, just that Daddy now has a very well-paying job.
His BnE criminal persona is dubbed "Roofman" by local media. Though he's armed and certainly knows how to use a weapon, Jeff's heists are victimless because there's usually no one around. Unfortunately, his luck does run out. Though no one is hurt, he's tracked, identified, captured, adjudicated and jailed.
While he's in prison he again puts that 'power' to work and plans an ingenious escape. You can see Tatum having fun with this part, deciding on the method and smoothing the scheme's rough edges. However, after he escapes, he has no cash and no one to help him. So he hides in a local Toy's "R" Us for the night. And, while Jeff plans his next move, that night stretches into weeks, then months, while he continues to live at the store.
Though we're watching and laughing at how ingeniously he sets up his in-store hidey-hole, we also see many innocent people getting sucked up into his situation. That includes Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a divorced mom, who falls for his charm, as well as an entire flock of well-meaning parishoners. Leigh also happens to work at the Toy's "R" Us where Jeff is hiding. Even if this wasn't 'based on a true story', you would still guess that what's down the road won't be a wedding march.
The film has a very strong supporting cast including Peter Dinklage as Mitch, Juno Temple as Michelle, Steve's girlfriend and Uzo Aduba as Eileen, the wife of Pastor Ron (Ben Mendelsohn). Eileen takes Jeff completely under her well-meaning wing; it's she who pushes Jeff and Leigh together. I loved Aduba's performance. One can't help but feel sorry for Eileen because you know Jeff has completely snowed her. No one wants to feel they were conned. And you also know that when Jeff's past finally catches up with him, she'll feel responsible for pushing the couple together.
I didn't feel as sorry for Leigh. You can tell that she sort of knew something wasn't quite kosher with Jeff. Such as, how does he show up at her house but doesn't own a car? How come he never takes her to his place? Why is he pushing so hard for the relationship? For all that Leigh wants to believe in him 100%, she's never able to put her finger on the problem. Like Tatum's character, Roofman is an entertaining and easily digestable film.
Florida's Film, Television and the Arts Magazine
