Hollywood loves its fair share of bad guys, but it’s not easy to call the titular robber one. For starters, he’s portrayed by the very charismatic Channing Tatum. But secondly, Jeffrey Manchester is introduced in a compelling way. Even as he’s robbing a McDonalds, he does his best to get the startled workers to calm down with a nice voice and the coat on his back before herding them into a freezer. He’s considerate. He’s smart in handling a situation. He’s just not able to adapt to day-to-day life. The film doesn’t examine why, whether that be from lack of opportunity or lack of financial literacy, but it doesn’t really aim to, nor does it have to. Roofman is already an interesting guy, and the movie about him gets him captured in the warmth of an old-school biopic, albeit with a slice of true crime.
"Cianfrance takes a daring swerve away from his usual melancholic working- class love stories, such as the powerful anti-romance Blue Valentine, to deliver a comedy that delivers big laughs and the occasional thrill."
— Katherine McLaughlin
"In the end, it’s the through-the-roof chemistry between the two leads that makes the film worthy of repeat viewing."
— Peter Debruge
A former Army Ranger and struggling father turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs, earning him the nickname "Roofman." After escaping prison, he secretly lives inside a Toys “R” Us for six months, surviving undetected while planning his next move. But when he falls for a divorced mom drawn to his undeniable charm, his double life begins to unravel, setting off a compelling and suspenseful game of cat and mouse as his past closes in.
Spirit Awards
1 nomination
