Missing a time frame hurts a story. It was one item that confused audiences who saw "The Shadow". It seriously hurt the reactions to that film.
Also, just because something is said in a film -even a documentary, the 'facts' stated may not necessarily be true.
In fiction, there is an
assumption that the facts as stated are 'true' according to the author and not open for debate. In film, this rule is less defined.
Ultimately, we are left to interpret the film on the assumption that we are seeing the true story as presented.
If this is all accepted, then we can arrive at a limited view of the facts in the story. Since RS broke this rule; we are left arguing about what the film was about.
The result led me to formulate the "Holden Postulate".
If I am correct; Blade Runner is one of the most brilliant films ever. If I am wrong: RS is one of the most overrated directors ever.
The basis of the HP is that all imagery in the film has meaning and is not just included for visual effect. In this case- even RS has yet to fully understand what he has created. -Even the outtakes contribute to the film whether included or not.
The result is a 12 or 16 hour story that ultimately explains itself. In this case; the first eye sets the point of view and establishes the holder of the vision -Holden. It is his tortured imagery and pain that shapes the story that we are seeing. Everything he sees and feels has shaped the story we experience. Even his name is a subtle clue.
A later example of this kind of experience is the film "Jacob's Ladder" which presents a story that is actually one man's POV and not third person.