Can Shakespeare Beat Private Ryan to an Oscar? CHRISTOPHER TOOKEY Reviews the Made-in-Britain Romance Set to Be a Classic

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Byline: CHRISTOPHER TOOKEY

Shakespeare in Love Verdict: A classic romantic comedy, sparkling with wit and wonderful performances. *****

HOW weary, stale, flat and unprofitable so many films will seem after Shakespeare in Love, an Anglo-American production that is in love with words, theatre, Shakespeare and the pain and pleasure of overwhelming love.

Joseph Fiennes establishes himself not only as Britain's number one heartthrob but also as a tremendous actor, equally adept at comedy or tragedy.

He portrays William Shakespeare, a young playwright and occasional actor with a failed marriage behind him and a bad case of writer's block on his latest …