Film Review: "Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado" (2020).

"I always wish you lots of peace, but I also wish you lots of love!" This is Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado. This documentary film directed by Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch. Dazzling and tender-hearted, legendary astrologer Walter Mercado vanished at the peak of his fame. This documentary poignantly explains what happened.

Born on March 9, 1932, Puerto Ricanastrologer, actor, dancer, writer, and television astrologer Walter Mercado Salinas was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Even as a child, Mercado believed that he had spiritual abilities. He attended university majoring in pedagogy, psychology and pharmacy, and used these skills to teach others, to study the human mind and to learn about the healing properties of medicinal plants. Since 1970, his astrological prediction shows aired for decades in Puerto Rico, Latin America and the United States, and he became a cultural phenomenon in the Hispanic community. However, in January 2012, this came to an end when Mercado lost a lawsuit against Bart Enterprises International. He was trying to prevent it from using his name and likeness in future commercial ventures. Mercado signed a contract with the company in 1995. He severed ties with the company in 2006, which resulted in litigation being filed by both parties against each other. Chief Judge Sandra Lynch of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that Bart Enterprises can continue using Mercado's name and likeness in future commercial projects. Shortly afterwards, Mercado was flown to Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, with cardiac problems. Then onwards, on a limited basis, Mercado continued to make public appearances. On the night of November 2, 2019, Mercado died, reportedly from kidney failure, at Auxilio Mutuo Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was eighty-seven. He is buried at Señorial Memorial Park in Cupey barrio, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Despite failing to dive deeper, the film is an emotive homage to the legend that is Walter Mercado. A charming and moving tribute made with mucho, mucho amor that honors the legacy of one of the greatest Hispanic TV figures. If you've never heard of Walter Mercado, when you see him, he appears to be the love child of Liberace and Charro who found an astrology book, but he is so much more. The film is a true reflection of its subject, by accomplishing the intended goal of making people feel uplifted and entertained. A treat for his multitudes of fans and an eye-opening introduction for others, this film is a festival of Walter Mercado: a one-person testament to audacity, kindness, and amiable self promotion. The film may not be a groundbreaking cinematic work, but its effortless combination of whimsical mysticism, quiet reverence, and just the right dash of over-the-top eccentrics makes it the perfect tribute to Mercado. A wildly entertaining and touching work that takes one of the most unique and distinctive personalities imaginable and fully does him justice. The film is a fond farewell to Mercado and a celebration of his life, and enlightening both for Mercado newbies and those who grew up at his proverbial knee.

Simon says Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado receives: