Roofman

Roofman is one of those movies that sneaks up on you, not just because it's about a real-life robber who literally lived inside the store, but because it balances crime, comedy, and unexpected tenderness with surprising ease. Directed by Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines), this offbeat crime dramedy tells the story of Jeffrey Manchester, the "Roofman Robber," who famously escaped from prison and hid out for months inside a North Carolina Toys "R" Us.

Channing Tatum takes on the role with an easygoing charm that fits the character's odd blend of charisma and delusion. His version of Manchester, now going by an alias and trying to build a new life is part dreamer, part screw-up, and somehow, still someone you root for. Tatum gives one of his more grounded performances in years, toning down his usual bravado for something more human, and it works.

The surprise standout here is Kirsten Dunst as Leigh, who becomes entangled in Jeffrey's double life. I've never been much of a fan of Dunst, but here she doesn't elicit an eye roll every time she speaks and instead delivers a sincere performance. The chemistry between her and Tatum gives the movie its emotional spark, and their scenes together bring warmth and humor to a story that could have easily gone too dark or too silly.

The movie's pacing is steady and deliberate, maybe too much at times, but the story is well told and surprisingly heartfelt. It finds humor in human desperation and beauty in redemption without ever preaching about it.

Is it worth running to the theater for? Probably not. Roofman feels more like the kind of film you stumble upon one night while flipping channels or scrolling through streaming-and end up watching all the way through because it's oddly charming.

Roofman isn't a high-octane heist movie-it's a quirky, character-driven story about second chances, unexpected love, and the strange places people hide when they're running from their past. Tatum and Dunst make it worth the watch, and while it might not demand a big-screen experience, it's the kind of film that'll quietly grow on you once you've seen it.

I've been anticipating this film for a long time and I heard rumors it would be playing for the mystery movie and I knew I had to get my tickets immediately. This film is so emotional and i truly didn't expect this film to get me near tears at the end of the movie. I think the story here was absolutely brilliant and I couldn't believe this was based on a true story as it seemed too insane to be real but it's actually a true story which blew me away. The writing here is great and there's some beautiful chemistry between Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst in this film and they portray such an intriguing couple with the challenges Jeffrey has gone through and what he's hiding from her. Channing Tatum is phenomenal and honestly may have delivered one of his best performances I've ever seen. Kirsten Dunst also has an incredible performance and really portrays such an interesting character here and I just started to feel bad for her character in this movie. This couple dynamic gets so sad near the end of the film and it almost had me crying due to how emotional this films gets and the depressing thing that happens at the end. There's also a beautiful blend of comedy which had me absolutely dying and Tatum delivers some hilarious scenes especially one with him and Mitch played by Peter Dinklage. I don't have a whole lot of complaints for this movie but sometimes near the second half of the film it definitely does slow down quite a lot and some scenes drag on just a little longer than they should be. I just really enjoy this film and there's not a whole lot of complaints for it and I'm definitely recommending this film for sure to people and this is definitely worth checking out.

What I most admired about this film was the restraint. Small town America, a story told perfectly. No hyperbole, very little moralising and a great deal of fun, particularly showcasing the hero's gymnastic abilities. But he was a low key hero, just working to solve everyday problems, how to find food, where to sleep. Two believable children, Kirsten Dunst putting in a good performance. Somebody worked hard on this script, the pastor and his wife providing an excellent comedy routine, Ben Mendelssohn in particular was excellent. Even the accomplice spoke perfectly believable commonsense, saying to the hero (I am paraphrasing) your practical skills are good but you are weak on the emotional level.

First off, I really wanted to give a 7.5, as I think a 7 is a bit too harsh, but an 8 too high. There are many things this movie gets right - the feel of the true story, the selling of Jeffrey's character, and the bizarre nature of the events. Channing Tatum manages to sell us on the polite, nice, smart, yet ultimately vexed character of Jeffrey Manchester.

Where it doesn't quite make it to an 8 for me is the pacing. The film starts strong, unfortunately meanders a bit in the middle but does eventually stick the ending, albeit in a slightly rushed fashion.

The feeling is that of having watched something genuine and comforting. A film that entertains, but also moves; that talks about escapes and lies, but above all, about the desire to start over.

The Good Bandit may not explore all the themes it presents, but what it delivers is done with such care and balance that it is impossible not to be captivated.

With inspired direction and Channing Tatum at his best, the film confirms that the best films of the year are not always the most grandiose-sometimes they are simply those that know how to tell a good story with heart.