Richard P Ley - Novelist / Screenwriter

Title: The Crossroads of Love

Genre: Romantic Dramedy / Slice-of-Life

High Concept: A recently retired literature professor with writer’s block takes a job at a struggling small-town auto auction—only to find the story, the love, and the purpose he didn’t know he was missing.

Pitch:
What if your second chance at love was waiting for you in the most unexpected place—between a junked-out pickup and a bacon cheeseburger?

The Crossroads of Love is a heartfelt, character-driven romantic dramedy with rich ensemble charm and a deep emotional core. When Dr. Charles “Charlie” Nguyen, a recently retired literature professor who’d lived his whole adult life in the ivy-covered walls of academia and is still grieving the loss of his wife, returns to his Rust Belt hometown to care for his aging mother. A severe case of writer’s block ensues while trying to write his Great American Novel, so he takes a part-time job at a small-town auto auction to stay grounded. There, surrounded by a cast of lovable oddballs, crusty retirees, and one very determined food truck lady, Charlie meets Erin Riley—a divorced ex-ER nurse with a sarcastic streak and a soft spot for wounded souls.

But healing is never a straight road—especially when love comes knocking again.

Charlie and Erin develop a slow-burn connection as they drive auction cars and dodge flirtations from flirtier coworkers. But Charlie clings to the memory of his late wife—signified by the wedding ring he still twirls unconsciously—and Erin isn’t about to play second fiddle to a ghost. What follows is a poignant, funny, and profoundly relatable story of healing, hope, and late-in-life love.

The Crossroads of Love reminds us that it’s never too late to start over, especially when love’s waiting in the passenger seat.

Comparable: As Good As It Gets meets The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, with the cozy Americana of The Straight Story, The Intern, and the emotional punch of About Schmidt.

Target Audience:

Adults 35–65, especially:

Fans of heartfelt, character-driven dramedies and romantic comedies.
People navigating mid-life changes, retirement, second chances, or rediscovering love and purpose.
Book lovers and those drawn to stories about writers and personal reinvention.
Women 30–60 who enjoy emotionally rich, feel-good stories with humor, romance, and community.
Fans of ensemble casts and quirky workplace/found family dynamics (à la Parks and Recreation or Call the Midwife).
Anyone who appreciates small-town Americana with warmth and a dose of wit.

It’s a film that speaks to new beginnings at any age, the beauty of human connection, and the idea that love and purpose aren’t limited by a timeline.