It could be the plot of an uplifting movie starring, say, Tom Hanks. The fortunes of a man from a privileged background take a sharp downward turn when he loses a high-powered corporate position and destroys his marriage in middle age. Unemployed and unhappy, he has a chance encounter with a young black manager at a coffee bar and a job offer follows. The result? Our hero, now in his 60s, finds happiness while toiling at a Starbucks with people far younger than himself.

In fact, Mr. Hanks is slated to star in the screen version...