"Oasis" is the story of the relationship of a man imprisoned by his mind with a woman imprisoned by her body. That they establish a relationship comes as much because of their handicaps as in spite of them.

I knew before seeing the film that Moon So-ri was an able-bodied actress. As a result, at first I wasn't convinced she was playing someone with cerebral palsy. But Lee Chang-dong does a brilliant thing. He films several scenes that become the imaginings and fantasies of Gong-ju, Moon's character, as an able-bodied woman. This had the effect on me of seeing Gong-ju as disabled. And it spells out clearly that cerebral palsy is a physical condition not a mental one.

Sol Kyung-gu as Jong-du is perfect. I've been describing Jong-du as "simple-minded" to others but that doesn't pinpoint his mental condition. I might say he is carefree but it's not just an attitude; he is carefree to the point of mental illness. His condition makes him act both bad (he's been in prison three times) and good (he absolutely sees right through Gong-ju's handicap and truly comes to care for her). While Gong-ju is frustrated over her condition and how others use her it, Jong-du appears so utterly accepting of his fate that he doesn't even defend himself. I can't stop thinking about how Mr. Sol has played this interesting character.

Both Gong-ju's and Jong-du's families scorn and pity their conditions. But watch how they also come to exploit them as well.

I highly recommend this film.

When I bought this movie on Amazon, I hadn't heard about it before. I just saw the rating people had given it and being a sucker for Asian movies, I decided to give "Oasis" a go.

And wow, I am so glad that I bought this movie. "Oasis" is without a doubt one of the most moving, heartfelt and touching movies I have ever seen. You might actually just want to prepare a box of tissued before sitting down to watch this movie though.

The story is about Jong-du Hong who has been released from prison, and you figure out immediately that there is something not fully right with this man. And he befriends Gong-ju Han, who is suffering from cerebral palsy. Their friendship is one without limitations and restrictions, as imposed by what we need "normal" society. It is a friendship regardless of physical and mental state. The friendship turns to love, and it is so beautiful. I especially loved the scenes where Gong-ju Han daydreamed about being able to do stuff that we "normally functioning" people take for granted.

"Oasis" is driven by a very emotional and compelling storyline, and it is especially helped along by the amazing performances by the two lead people, Kyung-gu Sol (playing Jong-du Hong) and So-ri Moon (playing Gong-ju Han). They both put on really good performances and they really carried the entire movie all by themselves.

I am also in awe at the boldness of the director Chang-dong Lee, to have the courage and the genius to have put together this story and actually made a story with this topic. It is not something you'd seen in every movie, and it really was right on the money. The director hit the nail right on the head here, driving the story right into the hearts and souls of the viewers, because this movie is so much more than beautiful. It also leaves you with something to think about after the movie has ended, and it imparts you with something to take with you as part of your personal growth and experience.

I can't recommend this movie enough. If you are a fan of movies and enjoy movies that offer more than just glamorous 3D effects and non-stop action, then you should treat yourself to "Oasis", because it is a movie that will stay with you in your heart and mind for a long, long time.

This movie really makes you take a step back and see the world from a whole new perspective, because you are thrown right into the predicaments of Jong-du Hong and Gong-ju Han. And you get to see how they are treated by the world around them, the world that we deem as "normal". Just because you have a disability doesn't mean you are not "normal", and whom are we to say who is or isn't "normal". Everyone is unique, and this movie really celebrates love and acceptance for whom and what we are.

Thumbs up, way, way up for "Oasis". This movie went straight to my top 10 best movies of all times list.

Oasis is a dark film that is not suited for everyone. It requires an open-mind and some deep thinking as well. Aside from that, the characters and their actions requires sympathy and understanding.

Chong-du is a jittery, wiry man with an extremely short attention span whose level of energy sometimes borders on the psychotic. He returns home after serving a sentence for vehicular manslaughter, only to be treated with contempt by family members and ostracized by friends.

The film provides the viewer a realization that even physically disabled people have their own emotions to fulfill and satisfy just like normal people. The acting in the movie was great.

Unfortunately, it didn't deliver into a brilliant film like Oldboy for it lacked the requirements to become a masterpiece. But nevertheless, it is a must-see especially for people who want to understand what people with disabilities undergo through their daily lives and to realize their needs that could not be understood by normal people.