Through the good offices of Criterion Channel, I've been able to see this doc. I'd say Fancher's life was one of the more remarkable ones in Hollywood history: imagine starting out as a flamenco dancer, studying in Spain, then relocating to Hollywood where he carved out a precarious life as a bit player, then as if his natural laziness could find no other outlet, writing scripts. He is clear about his desire to shirk work; taking parts if they will only involve a day's work, and doing the least amount of writing possible. I doubt if very much of the Blade Runner script is by him--it would be interesting to compare his work with the finished film.
Fancher is digressive, endlessly so. The story of how he tried to collect a debt for Teri Garr seems to go on forever, with no punchline. He is entertaining sometimes, and the film clips, especially those from Parrish, are fun to watch.
Fancher is digressive, endlessly so. The story of how he tried to collect a debt for Teri Garr seems to go on forever, with no punchline. He is entertaining sometimes, and the film clips, especially those from Parrish, are fun to watch.