Channing Tatum has had an incredible acting career. Starting out as the go-to actor for rom-coms, he has since thrived in almost every genre. Displaying his comedic chops in 21 Jump Street and stealing the show as an overlooked Marvel hero in Deadpool and Wolverine, Tatum has displayed his vast range as an actor in nearly every project he’s been a part of. Roofman sees Tatum delve into more dramatic territory. While it may not be as dramatic as previous Tatum films like Foxcatcher, it plays to his strengths as an actor with what is possibly his most emotional performance yet.

Roofman tells the true story of Jeffrey Manchester, played by Channing Tatum, a criminal who robbed 45 McDonald’s by cutting a hole in the roof of the buildings. After being sent to jail for his criminal activity, Jeffery escapes prison and takes shelter in a hidden space at Toys “R” Us. After months of hiding, he adopts a new identity and falls for one of the toy store employees, Leigh Wainscott, risking his life every time he leaves the store.

Channing Tatum has given countless excellent performances worthy of Oscar consideration, but his role in Roofman is among his best. The character plays to all of Tatum’s strengths, perfectly blending drama with a sharp sense of humor that lets him insert his silliness at all the right moments. It’s hard to deny that Tatum’s real-life role as a father helped flesh out his portrayal of Phillip, as the sequences involving his on-screen daughter were far more impactful because of Tatum’s nuanced performance. Although this year’s Best Actor race looks to be extremely difficult to get into, Tatum would be more than worthy of a nomination.

The film tells a fairly standard rise-and-fall story of a famous figure, but it finds its true voice in its depiction of survival and identity. Paralleling the current state of America, seeing a father struggling to build a satisfying life for his kids because of his financial situation is easy to gravitate toward, and having it attached to a story about a criminal makes for a fully nuanced look at the character. Phillip is depicted as a character who seeks contentment in his life, and his journey of survival makes for an engaging and emotional experience.

Phillip also grapples with his own identity. Ashamed of the life he created by robbing multiple fast-food restaurants, he uses his time in hiding to become a better person. From donating toys to a toy drive to finding religion as a tool of acceptance, Phillip undergoes a catharsis throughout the film, keeping the audience rooting for him from start to finish.

Roofman‘s three-act structure delves into the integral aspects of Jeffery’s life as a criminal: escaping from prison and hiding in the toy store, forming a romantic relationship with Leigh, and how the two eventually collide. By far the most interesting act of the film is watching Jeffery evade capture. The film expertly captures Jeffery’s mindset during his time on the run, exploring just how intelligent he is while finding unique ways to empathize with his situation. Seeing Jeffery stripped away from his family made for numerous emotional sequences that beautifully set up what was to come.

There is only so much time a filmmaker can dedicate to a man spending all his time in a Toys “R” Us, but luckily, director Derek Cianfrance finds a way to maximize the entertainment value. Whether it’s showing Jeff messing with mean toy store workers or him building a man cave in his hidden room, the film finds unique ways to keep the story moving at a solid pace while fleshing out Tatum’s character in a satisfying way.

Although Tatum’s phone calls to his young daughter produced numerous heartfelt moments, the film’s true heart lies in his relationship with Leigh, played by Kirsten Dunst. Tatum and Dunst play off each other wonderfully, with Dunst’s subdued nature blending perfectly with Tatum’s outgoing personality. The relationship Phillip builds with Leigh and her two daughters grounds the film on its bizarre premise while showcasing that Phillip is far more than a dangerous criminal. Seeing their journey and the dark turn it takes in the final moments brought a plethora of strong emotions, making the film stand above the average true story flick.

Although Roofman‘s storytelling made for a compelling emotional journey, the two-hour runtime can feel long at times. The first act moves at a brisk pace, making the audience feel as if they are in the same danger as Phillip. Once Phillip begins a relationship with Leigh, the danger starts to lessen and the stakes are far lower than the film initially built. While the relationship is integral to Phillip’s arc and its inclusion is absolutely necessary to the overall story, the film needed a better way to sustain the tension during this section.

The final 20 minutes of the film may feel like an obvious direction to take for the viewer, but it’s handled so perfectly that it’s easy to overlook. This section ramps up the tension to an all-time high, as Phillip grapples with life-altering decisions that will affect not only him but also his relationship with Leigh and her kids. Seeing the consequences of Phillip’s actions was heartbreaking, as the film does a phenomenal job of making the audience understand and love him despite his criminal and sometimes violent tendencies. For a film about someone robbing multiple McDonald’s chains, it is insane how heartbreaking the film gets.

Roofman may not be as finely tuned as Derek Cianfrance’s past projects, but it’s perhaps his most accessible film to date, thanks to Channing Tatum’s multifaceted performance and the digestible storytelling from Cianfrance and co-writer Kirt Gunn. For as bizarre a true story as it is, the film finds the perfect balance of humanity that leaves a big impact once the credits roll.

Roofman is now playing in theaters nationwide.

Rating: 7/10

Oscar Prospects:

None