Truth genuinely is stranger than fiction.
When these events went down, back in 2005, one of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department sergeants told a reporter, “This would make a great movie.” (Check out this detailed recent article in The Charlotte Observer ... after you watch the movie.)
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| Having clandestinely invaded a Toys "R" Us store late one night, and ravenously hungry, Jeff (Channing Tatum) tries to snatch some candy from an aisle display, mindful of avoiding detection by the overhead roving security cameras. |
He and co-scripter Kirt Gunn boldly assert that “This is a true story.” Credit where due, their film follows the saga’s unbelievably outrageous details with a level of authenticity that’s rare in cinema today (allowing for a few speculative enhancements concerning details never revealed).
The wild ’n’ wooly result is anchored by an endearing, awkwardly charming and mildly foolish performance by Channing Tatum, note-perfect as a resourcefully clever guy who’s also a complete idiot.
Our first glimpse of Jeffrey Manchester (Tatum) shows him running hell-for-leather through a field, trying to evade we-don’t-yet-know-what, as Tatum’s voice-over explains that — in order to understand what’s happening — we need to back up a few years. Tatum continues to offer narrative commentary as events proceed (and the reason for this confessional also is a brilliant touch, when the film concludes).
As introduced properly, in 1998, Jeff is a despondent family man, separated from his wife (Melonie Diaz, as Talena), their 8-year-old daughter (Alissa Marie Pearson, adorable as Becky) and infant twin sons. He doesn’t earn enough to give Becky the bicycle she wants for her birthday, and his “instead of” gift is totally clueless.
He later laments the uncomfortable result with longtime best friend and former war buddy Steve (LaKeith Stanfield), who scoffs at Jeff’s inane get-rich-quick schemes, insisting that he play to his strength.
“You’re an observer,” Steve points out. “You don’t miss details.”
So Jeff observes that all McDonald’s franchises are built to identical specifications, down to where everything is located behind and in front of the order counter. He therefore hammers his way through the roof of one outlet, waits patiently in the restroom for the workers to arrive, and then — masked — orders them into the walk-in refrigerator at gunpoint, before emptying the cash register. His manner is polite and cordial.
(The actual Manchester estimates that he pulled off between 40 and 60 such robberies throughout the United States.)
Tatum’s performance, as we watch the May 2000 job that’ll bring him down, is hilarious. His eyes — all we can see, behind his hood — reflect exasperated concern as the McDonald’s shift manager complains that he left his coat at home, and will get too cold. In a gesture that will become typical of Jeff’s unexpectedly kind nature, he gives the guy his own coat.
But the police catch him this time, and he winds up with a 45-yeard prison sentence. Even in that environment, his mind keeps ticking. Understanding — as Tatum narratively explains — that obedience and “going along” are the best ways to eventually be taken for granted, Jeff slowly orchestrates an audacious plan, and in June 2004 manages to escape.
He hitchhikes to Charlotte, N.C., and hides out in the overhead space of a Toys “R” Us, likely intending that as a temporary bolt-hole. But he becomes intrigued by the store’s staff, notably shift manager Mitch (Peter Dinklage) and employees Leigh (Kirsten Dunst) and Otis (Emory Cohen). Better still, a few nights later Jeff discovers a small open space between floor displays, and — snatching various items from the store — turns it into the equivalent of a camp shelter.
He sleeps there by day, and by night emerges to re-stock his only rations: baby food and Peanut M&Ms. He also becomes giddy amid all these toys and activities; Tatum persuasively channels Jeff’s sorta-kinda reversion to the innocence of childhood.
Thanks to craftily placed baby monitors, he also sees that Mitch is an obnoxious, passive/aggressive bully who enjoys belittling his staff. (Dinklage clearly enjoys playing this persecutor.) After overhearing Leigh’s failed request that Mitch donate some items for her evangelical Crossroads Church’s upcoming toy drive, Jeff carefully emerges by day, and makes the donation himself with a sack full of “liberated” items.
This is where Jeff’s story enters a really unbelievable second chapter, when he falls in love with Leigh. About which, I’ll say no more.
Dunst is excellent in her understated role, as a lonely single mom to teenage daughters Lindsay (Lily Collias) and Dee (Kennedy Moyer). Leigh is both wary of — and excited by — the unexpected appearance of this guy, and his amiably over-the-top courtship efforts. She’s also resolute about doing the right thing at times, as when she encourages Otis to stand up for himself, with Mitch.
Ben Mendelsohn is a hoot as the church’s Pastor Ron Smith, whose giddy, arms-outstretched welcomes are straight out of the New Testament. Uzo Aduba is enjoyably larger than life as Ron’s exuberant wife, Eileen, who leads the boisterous church choir.
Moyer’s Dee adores this newcomer on sight; Collias’ Lindsay — hiding behind a closed bedroom door that reads “Emotionally Unavailable” — wants nothing to with him. Both younger actresses deliver solid performances.
Molly Price has a recurring role as dogged Sgt. Scheimreif, involved with Jeff’s initial 2000 capture, and determined — all these years later — to catch him again. Juno Temple makes the most of her few scenes as Michelle, Steve’s feisty girlfriend.
Production designer Inbal Weinberg unerringly re-creates the early 2000s, particularly the now-vintage Toys “R” Us ambiance, complete with period toys. (The film crew found an abandoned Toys “R” Us store, which they refurbished and stocked with stuff found via eBay.) Composer Christopher Bear’s mournful, piano-based score is perfect for the bittersweet tone that Cianfrance maintains so well.
With respect to the allowances taken, the actual Leigh — with a different last name — did not work at the toy store, but did indeed meet Jeff at her church. Stanfield’s fictitious Steve is based on a larcenous friend the actual Jeff refused to identify, and the latter’s concealed “headquarters” was a bit more elaborate than what’s depicted here.
But the wildly improbable rest is accurate, particularly with respect to Jeff Manchester’s character and behavior. Tatum may be more physically handsome than the role he plays, but the actual Manchester clearly had plenty of charm. Those in his orbit, back in the day, still speak about him with fondness.
It’s quite a tale ... and this is a thoroughly engaging telling.
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