Sometimes real life is almost stranger than fiction. As a kid, I used to dream of what it would be like to actually live inside a Toys R Us, surrounded by childlike wonderment and free from the world’s distractions. The new movie ROOFMAN tells the story of a man who did exactly that, only out of desperation and hopes of escaping capture for his crimes. It’s also a surprisingly sweet love story and commentary on how life can move us in unexpected directions.

Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum) is a father separated from his family, but trying desperately to spend time with his children. He’s also a thief, who frequently robs McDonald’s by entering through the roof, earning him the name “Roofman” in various news reports. Jeff is eventually caught and thrown in jail with a lengthy sentence, but escapes and seeks shelter inside a Toys R Us, where he hides for the next six months! During that time, he hopes to once again see his kids, but realizes it’s too risky, so he tries to lay low until the isolation starts to get to him. Jeff also takes interest in one of the store’s employees named Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a single mother of two girls who is feeling the stress of long hours and a difficult boss played by Peter Dinklage. Jeff connects with Leigh through her church, where he meets and befriends Pastor Ron (Ben Mendelsohn), and soon finds himself sneaking out not only to spend time with Leigh, but attend church services and meals. As Leigh and Jeff’s relationship gets better and better, he knows it’s only a matter of time before he’s either found, or someone recognizes him, and his world will come crashing down.

ROOFMAN feels like a classic crime caper from the 1980s or 90s, a sort of throwback to the more charming days of cinema, and is shot on film which also gives it that look and feel. Writer/director Derek Cianfrance breaks away from his sometimes darker style of filmmaking and crafts a fun and charming look at this surprisingly true story, even making sure to include little-but-important details taken from the real life events this movie is based on. Jeff is the kind of thief that locks workers in a store freezer, but isn’t above giving one of them his coat to keep warm. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone, and he genuinely wants to be a better man, perhaps working against his own habits in a way that will never likely take. Channing Tatum finds a good balance in showing Jeff’s bad decisions while also displaying his endearing earnestness and hope. This is without a doubt one of the best performances of his career, and he elevates the material in a candid and sincere performance. Kirsten Dunst is great as Leigh, the unsuspecting love interest for Jeff who is clearly feeling the stress of her job and motherhood. LaKeith Stanfield plays Jeff’s best friend, who doesn’t seem to mind helping him, but also knows what kind of person Jeff really is, and frequently reminds him of his limitations. Peter Dinklage is clearly having fun playing the tyrant-like manager of the Toys R Us, and sinks his teeth into the role in an effective way. I particularly liked seeing Ben Mendelsohn and Uzo Aduba as the leaders of the church, feeling like they were plucked out of that exact real life setting, and playing it in a very believable way.

This is a story that might seem hard to believe, but it’s also oddly engaging and has a fun charm to it that makes the movie one of the year’s best offerings so far. It’s the kind of movie we need right now, a tale of bad decisions but hopeful intentions, and showing that even those with questionable morals can still do good when necessary. ROOFMAN for me was a reminder of the frustration when watching a news story about some bold crime that occurred, and wondering what the full story behind it was, which more often than not we never get. Here, we get the build up to the news stories, the events themselves, and the follow up, all in a way that feels complete and satisfying. This is a fulfilling experience, and a film that reminds us just how unusual and fascinating real life can actually be.

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