Derek Cianfrance is known for making sad movies like "Blue Valentine" and "The Place Beyond the Pines," so it came as a surprise to see "Roofman," his first new feature in eight years, being sold as a mainstream crowd-pleasing comedy. How would the director adjust to such a major gear shift? Now that "Roofman" has premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, it turns out that Cianfrance didn't have to stretch too far beyond his comfort zone. This is a surprisingly sad movie — just one that also happens to be funny.

Based on a true story, "Roofman" stars Channing Tatum as Jeffrey Manchester, a poor divorced veteran whose old army buddy Steve (LaKeith Stanfield) describes him as the "smartest dumb" person. Jeff's unable to get a job, but his "superpowers" of observation allow

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