Renowned American director Lynn Shelton has a soft spot for people who’ve been battered by life’s many challenges, but are somehow still hopeful. Outside In, in which the fate of three characters is tightly intertwined,is no different. The first is Chris who, after a long incarceration (a consequence of youthful mistakes) and about to turn 40, gets an early release from prison. It wouldn’t have been possible without the help of his high school teacher Carol, who’s stuck in what used to be a loving marriage, but is now a dull day-to-day routine. She’s fascinated by Chris’s efforts to adjust to his new life, especially when he quickly lets her know that he has feelings for her. Meanwhile, Chris also befriends Carol’s daughter Hilde, who sees him as a kindred spirit and a chance to find a deeper level of understanding. The strength of Outside In, a subtle story about the search for happiness, is in the remarkable, nuanced performances of Jay Duplass, Edie Falco and Kaitlyn Dever. Shelton proves once again that she has a great feel for working with actors—unsurprising perhaps, since she has a background in acting herself.