The events that inspired *Roofman* fall squarely into the category of “stranger than fiction,” according to Sophie Butcher in *Empire*.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a US Army veteran named Jeffrey Manchester robbed more than 40 McDonald’s fast-food joints by crawling into their roofs overnight. The following morning, he would descend into the restaurants to hold staff up at gunpoint—while being disarmingly friendly and apologetic throughout.
Manchester was eventually caught but managed to escape. He then spent months hiding out in a branch of Toys “R” Us, surviving on baby food and M&Ms.
Director Derek Cianfrance’s film based on these events is gritty but heartwarming. It features a “remarkable” performance from Channing Tatum, who depicts Manchester as “goofy and childlike,” while “effortlessly” walking a delicate path between comedy and tragedy.
The film opens before Manchester goes to jail. In a voice-over, he explains that he had been desperate to change his fortunes and win back his family. Instead, he ended up sentenced to decades in prison.
One of the standout moments is the section depicting his escape under a delivery van, described as “wonderfully engaging.” Soon after, we find Manchester living in Toys “R” Us, emerging during the day to mingle with shoppers.
There, he strikes up a relationship with a lonely single mother (played by Kirsten Dunst) who works in the store, adding a poignant layer to this unusual story.
https://theweek.com/culture-life/film/roofman-a-stranger-than-fiction-tale