I love a heavy film. I am in constant search of the raw emotion that comes from a good drama; the ups and downs, the laughter and the tears, and all components that go into a story about a life that truly breathes. It is not too often that all those elements come together for me in the same film. Fortunately, though, I was lucky enough to find such a film with OASIS. Director Chang-dong Lee has managed to craft a genuine tale of two lost souls searching for that certain something, albeit in a rather unusual place. Through the arc of the story we find Jong-du (Kyung-gu Sol), a man at the end of his rope after many bad choices. Lost and without direction, he lives life from day to day without a care in the world. Lacking in both common sense and book smarts Jong-du is forced to make do with what nature has allowed him. Unfortunately “making do” almost always blows up in his face. Through it all he manages to survive and keep a fairly good outlook on life.

His path eventually intersects with that of Gong-ju (So-ri Moon), a young woman suffering from a crippling ailment that keeps her separated from the world outside. Unable to properly articulate herself, she lives her days in a fantasy world of her own. When Jong-du comes into the picture, the two ultimately find the missing piece that makes their lives complete.

This film has so many great nuances. First off, the acting was absolutely unbelievable. So-ri Moon’s performance as Jong-du by far outshines any other physical performance I have seen in years. The true key to this is how flawlessly she manages to contort her body to convey the pain that her disease causes her. From her twisting, almost comical face, to the sharp, stiff gestures her appendages make, each tiny movement is like a ballet when one takes into consideration that these positions are not naturally her own. Kyung-gu Sol’s performance is also not without merit. My previous exposure to this actor came in the form of the somewhat insane cop in PUBLIC ENEMY. The Kyung-gu Sol of OASIS though is almost a completely different actor. In OASIS, he manages to successfully portray the role of an idiot. Now easy as that may sound, it is not. His idiot is not just a fool, but a flower in which each falling petal unveils a new layer and depth to the character.

Every good story has conflict. Otherwise the characters would have no opposition and they would be left to blissfully gallivant through their make believe world. The characters of OASIS are beset on both sides by family members who do not approve of their relationship. Jong-du’s family sees Gong-ju as just another bad mistake and a handicapped person to be pitied and left alone. Gong-ju’s family sees Jong-du as the murderer of their father and a man incapable of causing them anything but harm. With the family’s disapproval, Gong-ju and Jong-du are forced to see one another against the wishes of their family which ultimately test the strength of their love for one another.

OASIS is unlike any other love story you are likely to see. Whether it is due to the taboos involving the handicapped, or the fact that reproducing these two beautifully unique characters would be almost impossible, is up to the viewer. Either way, OASIS is a film that pushes the limits, and tests the waters of the heart for anyone willing to ask themselves, “How much can you love someone?”