Channing Tatum finds grace in true crime tale 'Roofman' | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- The film 'Roofman' is a comedy drama directed by Derek Cianfrance, starring Channing Tatum as real-life criminal Jeffrey Manchester.
- Manchester, a US Army veteran, earned the nickname 'Roofman' for robbing over 40 McDonald's restaurants by breaking in through the roof.
- After escaping a 45-year sentence, Manchester hides in a toy store and falls in love with an employee named Leigh (Kirsten Dunst).
- Tatum described the film's themes as revolving around empathy and grace, reflecting on the protagonist's inability to 'get out of his own way.'
- The film's release has already had a positive impact on Manchester's life, facilitating contact and reconciliation with estranged family members.
The new film 'Roofman,' directed by Derek Cianfrance and starring Channing Tatum, is a comedy drama based on the true story of Jeffrey Manchester, a US Army veteran and father of three. Manchester earned the nickname 'Roofman' for robbing over 40 McDonald's restaurants by entering through the roof, leading to a 45-year prison sentence. After escaping, Manchester hides in a toy store for months where he meets and falls for an employee named Leigh, played by Kirsten Dunst, while actively evading capture. The narrative focuses on his charming demeanor as he wins over Leigh's daughters and the local church congregation before finally being caught. Tatum noted that the film is about empathy and grace, reflecting on how easily one can make similar life mistakes, while Cianfrance was drawn to the contradictions in Manchester's behavior. The film's release has already brought positive ripples to the incarcerated Manchester, leading to reconciliation with estranged family members.
