In real life, the would-be, e-mail lovers of "You've Got Mail" would likely never be as attractive as Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Chances are, at least one of them would also be lying about his age and appearance, and might not even be the sex he/she claimed to be.

But movies aren't real life, and as hopelessly contrived as its plot is, "You've Got Mail" succeeds because because it is such a refreshing dose of romantic fantasy — and because it has such likable stars in Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

Of course, this sweetly romantic comedy needs every advantage, considering it is a remake of the classic 1939 Ernst Lubisch comedy "The Shop Around the Corner," which starred the equally likable James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan.

Keeping that in mind, and considering that it's a reunion between the stars (and filmmaker) of the 1993 hit "Sleepless in Seattle," you could say there were big things expected of this film. The good news is it succeeds on almost every level.

Though the story's a bit old-fashioned, co-scripter/director Nora Ephron updates the original premise, which was a period piece set in a Budapest shop, about two co-workers who don't like each other but who unwittingly romance each other by mail.

Ephron's version has the romance occur via computer e-mail, placing the principals in competing bookstores.

Kathleen Kelly (Ryan) is the owner of The Shop Around the Corner, a small store specializing in children's books. And it's in danger of closing after a FoxBook Superstore, owned by Joe Fox (Hanks), opens nearby.

When Kathleen and Joe meet, it's dislike at first sight. But what they don't know is that they've already met online (anonymously) and have been confiding in each other.

After each ends a nowhere relationship — Joe's with a shallow editor (Parker Posey), and Kathleen's with a pompous columnist (Greg Kinnear) — they anxiously agree to meet.

But when Joe spies Kathleen in their meeting place and realizes the truth, he's faced with a dilemma. Can he romance someone who hates his guts — someone whose livelihood he has nearly destroyed?

Unfortunately, Nora Ephron and her sister/co-screenwriter Delia Ephron, don't address all of those issues (especially the chainstore-vs.-independent-store debate). But it's just as well, as that would probably destroy the largely lighthearted tone of the piece.

And as mentioned, the charm of Hanks and Ryan carries the film over a few rough spots (including a slow final third).

It helps that they're aided by a great supporting cast, which includes Posey, Kinnear, Dabney Coleman and, as two eccentric co-workers of Kathleen, Steve Zahn and Jean Stapleton.

"You've Got Mail" is rated PG for scattered profanities and use of one vulgar slang term.