Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado
Imagine Liberace without the hypocrisy, and more elaborately dressed. Walter Mercado, born in Puerto Rico in 1932, may have been the most famous astrologer in the world in the 1980s. He was definitely the most flamboyant — and that’s a complement, not a dig. On countless television appearances — daily appointment viewing for his millions of fans — he delivered florid predictions and prophecies in Spanish, always dressed in elaborate capes that made Vegas Elvis look dowdy. His hair was perfectly coifed (think Mary Kay Place in The Big Chill), his makeup just so. Had he been born a few decades later, Mercado may well have identified as nonbinary. Instead, he carved out an exotic gender niche for himself that was less about sexuality than about fabulosity.
Mercado’s incredible story is told in the mesmerizing and moving new Netflix documentary Mucho Mucho Amor (“Much, much love” was his signature sign-off), co-directed by Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch. The filmmakers had seemingly unfettered access to both 80-something Mercado, living as a near-hermit in a memento-packed home in San Juan, as well as to clips from throughout his singular career. (See Walter charm Howard Stern!) Fans will enjoy the recap; those who’ve never heard of Mercado will be at first curious and then gradually filled with affection and admiration.
Among Mercado’s many acolytes is Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of Hamilton), who both provides an enlightening interview and appears for an emotional first-time meeting with Mercado, one of his boyhood idols. Miranda is the stand-in for countless fans across the globe, spanning several generations, who adored Mercado, mourned his mysterious disappearance in the 2000s, and were overjoyed when he reappeared as part of a retrospective exhibition at a Miami museum.
There’s no need to recount the details of Mercado’s impossible biography here — in short: poor child, hunky dancer, soap actor, beloved superstar, absent icon. Suffice it to say that the scope and sweep of his life is both amazing and tragic, but with a last-minute happy ending. Almost as fascinating is his longtime assistant, Willy Acosta, who addresses their relationship with a frankness that’s entirely credible. Latinx LGBTQ people naturally embrace Mercado for his gender nonconformity, but the man himself stakes out a more spiritual and politically neutral identity — although it’s clear he embraces everyone. Literally, if they approach him.
No preview trailer, snippet, or still image can do justice to the beauty of Mucho Mucho Amor. It must be seen, experienced in full and in depth, to be understood. Rather like Mercado himself. Put it on your watch list now.
Grade: A. Not rated, but PG equivalent. Now streaming on Netflix.
(Photo courtesy of Netflix)
