Writer: Raul Garcia

Walking into Roofman, I’ll admit my expectations were low. I’ve never been a Channing Tatum fan — his acting has always fell flat to me — though I’ve always respected Kirsten Dunst. On top of that, I hadn’t seen a trailer or read much about the movie, so I went in blind. What surprised me almost immediately was how much the film pulled me in. For something I assumed would be boring and overly drawn out, it managed to keep me locked in the whole time.

At its core, Roofman is a drama with a splash of comedy, telling the story of a man who just can’t seem to get out of his own way. Based on a true story, it follows Tatum’s character — a guy who is smart enough to commit crimes but never smart enough to avoid the consequences. He’s a nice person, but a natural screw-up. You sympathize with him even while shaking your head at his choices.

The real surprise here is Tatum. I’ve never thought much of him as an actor, but this performance had a range I haven’t seen from him before. He manages to pull you into the character’s head: you want him to get away with it, you want him to change, and you feel bad for the loneliness he’s brought on himself. As a father, I could even relate to his drive to provide for his family — even if it meant doing the unthinkable.

The film is long and sometimes feels slow, but its direction makes you feel like you’re inside the character’s mind, sharing his desperation and his hope. Nostalgia also plays a big role — much of the story takes place in a Toys R Us, with nods to Blockbuster and an ongoing thread of him breaking into dozens of McDonald’s locations. Those details aren’t just quirky; they give the movie a strange charm, as if he’s “sticking it to the man” while still being too soft-hearted to actually hurt anyone.

One of the more effective touches comes at the end, when the film cuts away from dramatization to real-world testimony. It isn’t Tatum’s character speaking, but the people who actually knew the man: his girlfriend, fellow church members, cops, even people he met in jail. Hearing their recollections adds weight and credibility to what could have otherwise felt like just another Hollywood retelling.

In the end, Roofman is a movie I wouldn’t necessarily watch again, but I don’t regret seeing it. It’s drawn out, yes, but it’s also well-acted, surprisingly engaging, and has moments of clever direction. More importantly, it’s the kind of story that makes you think about second chances, bad decisions, and the human need for connection. Verdict: A flawed but compelling true-crime drama with a career-best performance from Channing Tatum. Worth watching once, especially if you like character-driven stories — but be ready for a slow burn.