The Sun (U.K.)
December 30, 1998
By Caroline Graham, in Los Angeles

His brooding good looks and sexy, smouldering eyes have earned him the nickname "the thinking woman's heart-throb."

Joseph Fiennes, younger brother of Ralph Fiennes, is being hailed as Hollywood's hottest new hunk -- thanks to his brilliant performance in the new romantic comedy film Shakespeare In Love. Fiennes plays the bawdy Bard, who is suffering from writer's block as he tries to pen a great romance.

It starts out as the bizarrely-titled Romeo and Ethel, The Pirate's Daughter. But then Shakespeare falls passionately in love with Viola, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, and his creative genius returns. He is so inspired that he produces the greatest love story of all time -- Romeo and Juliet.

Critics in America have swooned over 28-year-old Joseph's raw sex appeal and intense animal magnetism in the 25 million film. One drooling female gushed: "You would pay just to watch him read the book."

But Joseph says: "I have to laugh when people tell me I'm the hot new thing. How can you be a heart-throb in tights?"

"I felt a right prick walking around in costume. It looks like I've got two giant tomatoes stuffed down there! Try walking through a pack of film electricians and carpenters while dressed in tights and puffed out shorts. If you can survive that, you can survive anything."

But Tinseltown's newest discovery admits that wearing tights and frilly period costumes has helped boost his career beyond his wildest dreams.

Earlier this year the little brother with the big future became an overnight sensation in his first movie, Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence. As one of three men in love with the same girl, Fiennes was hailed as "a heart-melting, gentle, heroic and honourable new leading man." He then donned doublet and hose to star in the critically-acclaimed movie Elizabeth, playing the Earl of Leceister, who seduces Queen Bess.

Now, with the success of Shakespeare In Love, Fiennes is tipped for superstardom. Some movie insiders predict he will even eclipse older brother Ralph, who was nominated for an Oscar for both Schindler's List and The English Patient.

Actress Cate Blanchett has starred with both Fiennes brothers. She appeared with Ralph in Oscar and Lucinda and Joseph in Elizabeth. She says: "Ralph is very complex and intense, whereas Joseph is direct, open, focused and a secret trickster. Both are beautiful to look and are gifted beyond belief. It is already clear to everyone who has worked with him that Joseph will become every bit as big a name as his brother."

Shakespeare In Love director John Madden says: "I don't think Joe has to play at turning on the charm and sensuality -- he just has it. There's an openness there, a raw anguish and vulnerability. It's a very potent combination."

The film's co-writer, playwright Tom Stoppard adds: "We searched long and hard to find the right person to play William Shakespeare. The whole film depends on the audience believing in this man. That's the main thing about Joe. You look into his face and you feel this is a man who could have written those wonderful plays. Joe has an artist's face and build. He is not your run-of-the-mill heart-throb. He is sensitive with a very macho centre."

Softly-spoken Joseph is a twin and he and brother Jacob, who is a gamekeeper, are the youngest of the seven Fiennes children. Joseph says his family's "chaotic" early days helped mould him into a natural performer. His photographer day Mark and painter mum Jini -- who died from breast cancer in 1993 -- moved their family fourteen times before Joseph left school at 16. He says: "For me it was a different school every year, sometimes more. It gave me the chance to reinvent myself every time. We moved all around England and Ireland and I kept changing myself."

With older brother Ralph as an inspiration, all the Fiennes children went into showbiz. Joseph's sister Martha, 36, is a director; brother Magnus, 34, is a musician; and sister Sophie, 32, is a producer.

Joseph first discovered his flair for acting at nine, when he was chosen for the lead role in a school stage production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He left school at 16 and went on to art college before travelling to Italy to help restore a 12th century villa. On his return, he landed a backstage job at London's National Theatre. He says: "The big surprised was the amount of smelly pants and socks I had to deal with. It made me realise there's not much glamour in the acting profession. Just lots of hard, sweaty work."

Joseph eventually landed acting parts in plays but although Ralph backed him all the way, he never helped him land a role. Joseph says: "Emotionally, he helped me, and he helped with speeches. But I was really on my own." After a stint with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Joseph got his film break in Martha, Meet Frank Daniel and Laurence.

Now Shakespeare In Love -- which opens in Britain on January 29 -- and his on-screen chemistry with co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, has set his career on fire. The film also stars Dame Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth and Gwyneth's real-life love Ben Affleck as a big headed Elizabethan actor. The sizzling love scenes between Joseph and Gwyneth steam up the screen and caused some difficult moments on for Ben Affleck, who admits: "I had pangs of jealousy when I saw Gwyneth in big clinches with Joe. But he is a great guy and the two of them turned in amazing performances. Even I began to believe they were besotted with each other!"

Appearing nude in front of the camera crew proved nerve-racking for Joseph. He says: "I'm shy anyway, so making love in front of loads of people isn't easy. Bit it is made a whole lot easier if when the person you're doing it with is Gwyneth Paltrow. She is the most gorgeous girl. Everyone on the set, including me, fell in love with her."

Thanks to his runaway success, Joseph was recently able to buy his first home -- in London's trendy Notting Hill Gate area -- but he aims to keep his feet firmly on the ground. He says: " I don't believe everything that is said about me. I just want to work."

Sadly, as his career has taken off, so his private life has nosedived. Joseph recently split from actress Sara Griffiths after a six-year romance and he refuses to reveal whether there is a new woman in his life. Pals say the end of his relationship with Sara left him "deeply upset." All he would say is: "Sara put food on the table and pulled me through all the low points. We were out of work together and, rarely, in work together. We were good for each other for a long time."

But a friend says: "He is still recovering from the end of that relationship. On screen, Joe plays sensitive, passionate types, but he is like that in real life too. When he and Sara broke up he was devastated and it will take him a long time to get over it. But Joe insists he hasn't been put off the idea of finding true love. He is a real romantic."

Which is good news for his many adoring female fans.