'Roofman' A Review

Roofman is a dramedy about Jeff(Channing Tatum) a divorced Army veteran struggling to support his three children. To that end, he turns to armed robbery of fast food restaurants breaking in through the roof before they open which gives him the titular moniker. Eventually he has to hide out and he does so in a Toys "R" Us, watches employee Leigh(Kirsten Dunst), and strikes up a relationship with her and her two daughters.

Tatum is, as always, effortlessly charming as well as deeply emotional. He's wonderful here, if he struggles it is only with the restrictions of the script which is based on a true story and a real guy which the story adheres to. But as a result his character doesn't really change until the very end of the movie, Tatum plays as many notes as he can- he's funny, romantic, guilt ridden, despairing- but ultimately the character on the page doesn't transform so nor can he. Dunst is also sensational and their chemistry is exquisite. Dunst has become the sleeper, dominate, actress of her generation, one hopes she gets more higher profile roles in the coming years. Watching the two of them together you just wish they were in a straight-forward rom-com(which the trailers make it look like this is when it most definitely is not). The supporting cast is incredible- Ben Mendelsohn, Peter Dinklage, Uzo Aduba, Juno Temple, LaKeith Stanfield, among others- and they all just creates a really rich world and context.

Visually the film isn't flashy but very effective, immersive, and intentional. The production design across the board just feels real and evocative. If there's an issue with the film it's one of tone. Life doesn't always translate into narrative and it seems like the script adheres perhaps too closely to Jeff's actual life. As a result it's just kinda unclear what this movie is. Is it a romance? Well Jeff is charming and sweet but also a gaslighter and manipulator. Is it a comedy? Well there's a lot of funny stuff in here but also some really intense tragic stuff. Ultimately all those threads and genres just don't really coalesce. It's unclear what the movie wants to do other than tell Jeff's interesting but not particularly coherent story.

Engaging and emotionally effecting but not necessarily in harmony with itself.

Currently in theaters.

Rent It.