Raise the roof

CHANNING TATUM IS AT HIS CHARMING BEST IN CRACKING TRUE CRIME CAPER ABOUT A REAL-LIFE ESCAPED PRISONER

- REVIEWS BY DAMON SMITH

A CAREER-BEST performance from Channing Tatum as a real-life escaped convict, who successfully evaded police for months by living inside a branch of Toys “R” Us in Charlotte, North Carolina, invigorates writer-director Derek Cianfrance’s offbeat crime caper.

Co-written by Kirt Gunn, Roofman applies a feelgood gloss to the true story of former United States Army Reserve officer Jeffrey Manchester, who turned to crime and gained his nickname by drilling through roofs of branches of McDonald's at night so he could wait inside until morning and surprise staff to steal the takings.

In one headline-grabbing incident, recreated on screen with humour, Jeffrey gave a restaurant manager his own jacket before leaving staff inside a walk-in freezer so he could make a swift getaway on foot.