Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1950: François Périer in Orpheus & Results

François Périer did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Heurtebise in Orpheus.

Périer plays seemingly just a side character initially in the scheme of the film. This as we meet him as the chauffeur of the mysterious princess (Maria Casares) that the poet Orpheus (Jean Marais) becomes fascinated with. Périer's performance initially is seemingly equally unassuming as he offers to give Orpheus a ride home after the poet has witnessed a series of strange events that indicate the princess is in fact Death. Périer's performance even at this point carries a certain cheekiness to it. This is putting up the front though just some random, perhaps not particularly devoted chauffeur, within his jovial delivery as he offers to give Orpheus a ride home seemingly as just a gesture of good will. There is more than meets the eye however as he delivers Orpheus home, who immediately runs off to be obsessed with learning more about this womanly Death , while the chauffeur goes to spend time with Orpheus' wife. I think what I like so much about Périer's performance is his interactions with Orpheus's wife Eurydice in these scenes. This as there's a great deal of layers just within his generally affable presence. This on the first layer we seemingly get a chauffeur, who also seemingly wants to do just the right thing for everyone involved. This in his delivery where he captures both sincerity as he tries to explain to her that Orpheus didn't act out of line with his employer, however there is a minor sort of almost shyness within his expression. Perrier presents a sort of hidden quality, both in terms of suggesting that while Orpheus didn't cheat on his wife the thought may have been there in his head, but also the idea of hiding that he himself is quite aware of the supernatural elements that are going on. There's more going on though in his chemistry with Marie Déa as Eurydice. This is when he says he's not really a devoted chauffeur, he's both lying and telling the truth in his performance. This as he speaks the words it is truly that he's not loyal to her, but also with that ever so slight unease of he is lying by not really letting it all on. 

Périer's performance captures this sort of honest duplicity. This as the man hesitates to reveal his true self, which essentially is an otherworldly "death" worker, but at the same time is earnestly attempting to help the couple out of the situation he sees being set up by the princess. Périer's eyes saying so much in the moments of trying to convince both members of the couple to avoid basically the trap of sorts set by the princess. Perrier's work finds him saying it all silently even as he speaks with this modesty of only these gentle urging to get the couple to behave a certain way. This though is most key in his relationship with Eurydice, where Périer's silent work reveals a palatable sense of affection for the woman even as he is in away only trying to help her husband not lose her. Périer's work grants it this wonderful quality as there is nothing questionable in Heurtebise even though it is obvious he is smitten with her. This as Périer's performance portrays more of as a man doing all these things not to do anything questionable, but rather to try to convince a man to appreciate something he would obviously value so highly. His intent though becomes more obvious when he's not a chauffeur but really a fellow "death", who watches as the princess organizes the death of Eurydice. Périer's work is terrific here in the discontented and snarky manner he holds towards her. This as he watches with a certain sneer denoting his distaste with her choice to try to essentially rope Orpheus into her embraces. Périer finds the right comic quality in this as the two interact not exactly as rivals, but rather co-workers that maybe know each other a little too well. The situation leads though to the princess taking Eurydice and Heurtebise to helping Orpheus find a way into the underworld. Périer is fantastic in just really the sequence of being in the expository role, by finding the right sort of strict conviction as he speaks while also doing it with a levity as though he's professional detailing his job. Eventually enabling a reprieve for Orpheus and his wife by taking the situation to the otherworld's top brass. Périer's great in the scene as he must admit he loves Eurydice as he brings such a sense of vulnerability in the moment of admitting to it. This again though in the sense of not as though he ever had such plans, but rather is somberly accepting that never could have her. This though allowing that reprieve though with the condition that Orpheus not look at this wife. Périer being great along with Marais and Dea in realizing this in a specifically comic way. This as Périer's hilarious constant reminders to Orpheus to not look and trying to adjust the two best he can. Unfortunately this doesn't work leading to a larger sacrifice of both deaths to turn time back and live Orpheus and Eurydice in marital bliss. Périer's final silent moments being heartbreaking yet also in a way sweet, as Heurtebise sadly looks upon at the couple, seeing the joy he could never have.

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Next: 1931 lead and supporting (Won't be doing a lineup.)