Saagar Kote
‘Roofman,’ directed by Derek Cianfrance, is a crime comedy-drama that tells the story of Jeffrey Manchester, a former US military officer and convicted robber. He earns the moniker “Roofman” for his distinctive method of breaking into places, notably McDonald’s stores, by drilling through and damaging the roofs. The narrative focuses on his daring prison escape and subsequent period of hiding from law enforcement inside a Toys “R” Us store. While on the run, Jeffrey’s survival is complicated by the romantic feelings he develops for Leigh Wainscott, who happens to be an employee at the same store.
With law enforcement still searching for the clever robber, Jeffrey leads an unexpected life, away from the chaos of the outside world. What begins as a narrative centered on a manhunt, prison break, and robberies evolves into a touching story of love and human connection. Steve, one of Jeffrey’s closest friends, plays a vital role in the story. His bond with the protagonist and his actions in the narrative raise intriguing questions about the character’s origins.
Steve is Partly Based on a Real Friend in Jeffrey Manchester’s Life
‘Roofman,’ which is based on a true story, takes creative liberties in terms of visual elements and character arcs. Written by director Derek Cianfrance and screenwriter Kirt Gunn, the film combined real-life incidents with fictional elements, making it a unique experience. Steve emerges as a pivotal part of the movie’s plot, and his character is partly based on someone whom the real Jeffrey Manchester knew. In the film, Steve is an old friend who recognized Jeffrey’s observational skills at a young age. He suggests that Jeffrey utilize these talents to achieve greater success in life. As a result, he serves as a source of support to the protagonist during his vulnerable moments. The most important action by Steve in the narrative is providing Jeffrey with fake passports and other documents to facilitate his escape from the country.
However, the name of the individual who inspired the creation of Steve’s character remains unknown. It is interesting to note that director Derek Cianfrance consulted the real Jeffrey Manchester for the purpose of creating the movie. In his interactions with the convicted robber, he was able to secure details that helped in the filmmaking process. Despite Jeffrey revealing things about his life, he hesitated to say much about his mysterious friend, who Steve is partly based on. In an interview with CinemaBlend, Derek Cianfrance spoke about the real man who inspired Steve’s character. He stated, “Steve is the one character in the story that the real Jeff was very cagey about.” The filmmaker shared that Jeffrey never disclosed the real name of his friend and chose to call him “Steve.”
Jeffrey also revealed that “Steve” was a friend who was in the military and could get passports for him. It can be presumed that Jeffrey didn’t want to talk about this friend, as it would only endanger him. The director added, “(So) I don’t know who Steve is, because Jeff was protecting his friend. So that’s a character that was, you know, was kind of fictionalized.” Steve’s character, despite being influenced by the unnamed real-life friend of Jeffrey Manchester, is ultimately a fictional character who has a strong connection to reality.
Whereabouts of the Man Who Inspired Steve’s Character Remains Unknown
Steve is essentially a fictional character, and with Jeffrey’s refusal to say more about him. Consequently, the fate of the unnamed man remains frustratingly mysterious. Since the unknown man was involved in the procurement of illegal passports and documents, it can be presumed that details about his life will remain secret for the time being. The film’s director, Derek Cianfrance, had an intriguing thought about the unknown man. He said, “I think Steve’s there. Yeah, Steve’s out there. I hope Steve sees the movie. I hope he— I wonder what he’s going to think.” Even if the friend watches the film, it is highly unlikely that he will ever make his opinions known publicly. At this point, there is no evidence or clue that suggests Jeffrey’s friend’s whereabouts. The film covers the most vulnerable moments of the protagonist’s life, and Steve’s presence in those emotional phases is a poignant part of the story. Whether or not the real-life friend’s identity will ever be revealed will presumably remain a mystery for the foreseeable future.
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