We Are Watching The Film "Black Mass" Together With A Psychologist. How Do You Use Your Talent? - Reviews, Self-development

Biographical film "Black Mass" about the Boston gangster James Bulger (1929-2018), known by the nickname "White", which he received in his youth for his blond hair. He has supporters and opponents, but they agree on one thing: Bulger is an extraordinary person.

• "Black mass". USA, UK, 2015
• Director: Scott Cooper
• Starring: Johnny Depp

Born into a poor family, practically in a slum, thanks to his abilities, Bulger was able to make a brilliant career. But, unfortunately, in the field of crime, unlike his brother, a famous politician. Since childhood, both boys were distinguished by outstanding abilities, analytical mind and good memory, but they chose different paths.

Suffering from poverty, social insecurity, leading the life of the Boston "bottom", Bulger decided to restore justice, but he chose a peculiar path - breaking the law

As a result, very young, without an education, he ended up in prison, where, according to him, he received an education, or rather, self-education. For hours Bulger disappeared in the prison library, but his choice of literature was peculiar: the young man was interested in the history of the mafia, large criminal gangs, military strategy and books on criminology.

Bulger was released not as a young man, but as a decisive man, and took over the underworld of Boston: he became the head of the Irish mafia and in a long-term confrontation defeated criminal gangs of Italian origin. He has been compared to Al Capone and other notable leaders of the underworld. But to defeat opponents, Bulger agreed to secretly cooperate with law enforcement agencies, which is considered a crime in the underworld. When the secret became clear, his former supporters became enemies, which led to the sad outcome of the life of this talented man, who, unfortunately, chose the path of crime.

Attitudes towards the personality of Whitey Bulger still remain controversial. The creators of the film "Black Mass" show different sides of his personality: he shows either cruelty or kindness; coldness and care; generosity and vindictiveness … The film does not try to impose any point of view, inviting viewers to make their own choices.

How to dispose of abilities?

Talent is an outstanding human ability. In the New Testament there is a parable about the silver talents (then - the monetary unit), which were given to three different people. Who did what to them? One exchanged, hence the expression - "exchange your talent", "exchange for trifles." The second - buried, and we recall the expression "bury your talent." And the third has increased. A person is given talents, and then one asks - what have you done with them?

This biblical story symbolically returns to us responsibility for our abilities, self-development, self-realization and life choices. Every person has abilities, they are just different and expressed to different degrees. They are given to us from birth, are predetermined by genetics. But what a person himself does with them is his personal choice, which he makes independently and for which he is responsible. Talents cannot be good or bad, right or wrong, they are like a knife: it is neither bad nor good, it all depends on the purpose for which it is used.

Of course, Whitey Bulger had many talents: charisma, intelligence, leadership skills. But what he directed them to was his inner choice

Johnny Depp's masterful play reveals to the viewer the ambiguity of Bulger's personality, his fluctuations, choices and decisions. How to relate to this person and his life path - each viewer decides for himself.