Written by Robert Scucci | Published
Living inside a Toys “R” Us might sound like fun when you’re a kid, but it’s not the best place to hide out if you’ve just escaped prison and need a place to sleep on the floor for six months. Although this sounds silly, it is not that simple, because the story is told in between Roofman it is based on real events where this exact situation happened. Roofman it’s naturally guilty of taking some creative liberties to get its point across, but unlike other films based on true crime stories, those liberties are more than enough to keep up with the pace. The events depicted remain very faithful to the true crimes that inspired the film.
While knowing exactly what was going on inside the head of real-life criminal Jeffrey Manchester during his 2004 shooting spree is impossible, Channing Tatum’s portrayal Roofman he humanizes his actions. He provides enough context to help you understand the mental workings of a criminal who makes bad decisions over and over again, but tries to avoid hurting anyone in the process.
From Jeffrey to John
Channing Tatum is Jeffrey Manchester Roofmanand his history is quickly confirmed. Feeling misunderstood after completing his military service, Jeffrey’s former sergeant, Steve (LaKeith Stanfield), tells him that he needs to lean on the strength that helped him succeed in the military. Those abilities include observing his surroundings, learning methods, and measuring tasks with near-perfect accuracy, which would seem to make him a strong law enforcement officer. Instead, Jeffrey decides that those same skills are better suited to hacking a bunch of McDonald’s rooftops and robbing breakfast workers before fleeing the scene.
Jeffrey is eventually caught and sentenced to 45 years in prison. Using that ability again, he escapes, returns home to contact his family, and is quickly found. With no other option, he decides to disappear. Jeffrey breaks into Toys “R” Us and builds an elaborate hideout inside the store. By turning off the cameras and installing his baby monitor system for surveillance, he gets a complete understanding of the space and manages to live incognito while waiting for the heat to die down. Her long-term plan involves finding a new identity for herself and leaving town for good with Steve’s help.
Budding Romance Always Clouds Judgment
Jeffrey soon becomes infatuated with Toys “R” Us employee Leigh Wainscott (Kirsten Dunst) after seeing her in the closed off area where she was hiding. At first, she secretly helps him by changing his work schedule so he can spend more time with his family and go to church during the holidays, much to the chagrin of his boss, Mitch (Peter Dinklage). After donating a large amount of stolen toys to Leigh’s church, the two hit it off and begin a romantic relationship.
Calling himself John Zorin, Jeffrey slowly wins over Leigh, as well as her two daughters, Lindsay (Lily Collias) and Dee (Kennedy Moyer). The sad truth is that Jeffrey knows he will eventually be found out. With no real way to reconnect with his ex-wife and children, he lives with the foster family he built, knowing full well that he won’t stay.
An Exciting Fiction Based on a True Crime
When I watch movies like Roofmanstrict historical accuracy is not what I’m looking for. That being said, based on what has been reported about the real Jeffrey Manchester, the story being told here is far from over, tweaks aside. A few people connected to the real case even make brief appearances, including the real Leigh Moore, the truck driver who helped Jeff unwittingly escape from prison, and the police involved in his eventual capture.
More importantly, Channing Tatum’s portrayal of a desperate but strangely sane man who enters a life of crime remains entertaining. Jeffrey commits many non-violent crimes, and even his armed robbery approach is strangely polite and non-combative. He does what he needs to do while treating his victims with incredible respect, often remaining comical. While living inside Toys “R” Us, he spends his nights in Dangerous Business by going through the aisles, eating candy, and riding a bike to stay active, all of which the real Jeffrey Manchester reportedly did to pass the time.
As expected, Jeffrey growing too comfortable with his situation eventually leads to problems, but the journey there is part of the appeal. Roofman it takes a simple true crime story and makes it relatable through character work rather than spectacle. It’s so light on its feet that you don’t even register that you’re rooting for someone completely infallible, mostly because it’s so likable.
Roofman currently streaming on Paramount+.
