“Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado” Review by Brooke Daugherty : Pop Culture Leftovers

“Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado” Review by Brooke Daugherty

August 2, 2020 11:38 am |

Netflix’s documentary on Puerto Rican Astrologer Walter Mercado will be the first introduction to his work for many, mostly white, Americans. For the other viewers, especially Puerto Rican viewers, this is a tribute to a legend.

Walter Mercado started out as a dancer in Puerto Rico before acting in Telenovelas. He excelled in both. A chance encounter while visiting a TV station in the late 60s got him his first 15 minutes of astrological fame. He dressed up in an ornate costume and made predictions for 25 minutes filling in on Elín Ortíz’s show for a guest who didn’t show up. That kickstarted a career that lasted decades.

Directors Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch show reverence for Mercado with clips and interviews from celebrities, family, and friends. Interviews with composer/playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, presenter Raúl De Molina, actor Eugenio Derbez, and soccer star Lisa Gomez discuss the part Mercado played in their own lives. The best has to be Miranda, who meets Mercado on screen while in Puerto Rico performing his hit musical Hamilton. Seeing a current celebrity, who so many people admire, admit to his father how nervous he is to meet Mercado is extremely endearing.

Mercado’s story isn’t all celebrities and amazing costumes. The documentary also covers his legal troubles after signing away his name and likeness. It also discusses the rarity of an androgynous, eccentric astrologer becoming a world phenomenon while existing in the very straight, religious Spanish speaking community. He never spoke publicly about his sexuality, except saying he was still a virgin (in his 80s) during one of his interviews in the documentary itself.

If you already know about Walter Mercado’s legacy or not, I highly suggest watching this documentary. It is full of love and sunshine despite the sad bits, the saddest being Mercado passed away before his documentary debuted. The world needs more people like Walter Mercado.

PCL Rating: Tupperware

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH 🍅