Tremendously enjoyable and heartfelt tragic comedy Roofman hits theaters this weekend
Channing Tatum leads a charming cast in Roofman, the unlikely based-on-a-true story of a thief known for his unorthodox practice of breaking and entering into buildings through their roofs. After getting caught and making a daring prison escape, Jeffrey (Tatum) lies low in a Toys R Us store, locating a difficult to access chamber in the store and making his home there for several months.
The film is foremost a comedy, but with a lot of heart. It’s directed by Derek Cianfrance, whose filmography includes The Sound of Metal, Blue Valentine, and The Place Beyond the Pines.
A former military man who has lost his family and his way, Jeffrey turned to crime to try to find a better life. There’s a lot of humor and warmth in his portrayal of a “nice guy” criminal who steals from people, but politely. As his friend Steve (LaKeith Stanfield), himself a cybercriminal, observes, Jeffrey’s both the smartest and dumbest guy in the room – capable of almost superhuman analytical observation and tactical planning, but also kind of a practical idiot. And with no insult or shade to Tatum, he’s perfectly suited – the ideal casting, really – at portraying both sides of this equation brilliantly.
While hiding out in the store (in and of itself an amusing comedy of errors), Jeffrey becomes sort of a phantom observer, becoming familiar with the store’s rhythms and employees, including its snooty manager Mitch (Peter Dinklage), and a doing-her-best single mom Leigh (Kirsten Dunst) with whom he soon falls in love.
Jeffrey moves from observer to participant when he finds himself attending Leigh’s church, adopting a false cover story and becoming a familiar face in the congregation, even befriending the pastors, an interracial couple (Ben Mendelsohn and Uzo Aduba). As “John”, Jeffrey becomes the version of himself that he wishes he really was – an idealized man that both he and other people seem to like better.
And as an aside, I really liked the portrayal of church in the film: not as a cynical or toxic place, but as a gathering of people. Mendelsohn and Aduba and the congregants felt genuine and good-natured, the kind of ideal friends that would attract and connect with a deeply lonely and wayward man who has hit rock bottom. (It’s frankly a little jarring, coming off of Mendehlson’s portrayal of a racist, crooked cop in Freaky Tales).
Living a lie becomes even more of a challenge when “John” successfully romances Leigh and becomes close to her daughters, readily stepping into the role of a surrogate dad but knowing in his heart that it’s all untenable – especially as some close calls in his hideout threaten to compromise his position.
This is an immensely enjoyable film with a relatable protagonist. The humor is very funny but anchored by a very human and weighty story – and despite Jeffrey’s flaws, you can’t help but root for the guy – even if he’s oblivious to his mistakes that are clear to the audience. The film’s early 2000s setting is pretty nostalgic as well, finding the familiar in bygone brands of yesteryear that appear prominently, like Toys R Us and Blockbuster Video. Even the opening robbery, which takes place at McDonalds, hits you with the old menus and decor of the era: it’s a potent rendition, if you were there.
The film begins as what seems a broad comedy, but by the time the credits roll – featuring interview clips with the real life people portrayed in the film – you’ll find yourself caring very much for these characters.
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