Roofman review: Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst co-star in outlandish true story of escaped US convict

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In cinemas; Cert 15A

Channing Tatum stars as Jeffrey Manchester in ‘Roofman’. Photo: Paramount

This is not a superhero film. ­Clever, sweet and surprisingly moving, Derek Cianfrance’s Roofman takes its cue from an outlandish true story about a mild-mannered convict who hid out in a Toys “R” Us superstore ­after escaping from prison.

Channing Tatum – an actor who doesn’t always get the credit he deserves – portrays Jeffrey ­Manchester, a divorced army veteran with a heart of gold, who made quite the name for himself as America’s slipperiest restaurant robber.

For whatever reason, Jeffrey always came in through the roof – and, after 45 late-night McDonald’s break-ins, the police finally caught him. The real problem, then, was holding on to him.

Somewhere down the line, Jeffrey – a genius and a goofball – picks himself a rather unconventional hiding spot in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also acquires a girlfriend (Kirsten Dunst) who has no idea who he really is.

It’s a daft tale, but a good one, and Cianfrance tells it beautifully. Tatum (delightful) and Dunst (the beating heart of this ­story) are wonderful together, and ­Peter Dinklage provides rib-tickling support as a cranky toy shop manager. An unanticipated hoot.

Four stars