Velvet Goldmine... Still Puzzling?

Velvet Goldmine is quite the film. It is still slightly puzzling to me. I absolutely love the connections that it poses to Oscar Wilde but I am still confused as to what he represents. I love this idea that he is this alien from outer space who has forged a pathway for "originals" everywhere. His green gem is the key to being original and the key to success. In a way, it seems that the gem is also representative of how one obtains it. Through the line of Oscar Wilde having it, he became extremely successful because he was the number one original. When Jack Ferry found the pin, it seemed to be his own outlet. He had found the pin innocently within a time of difficulty. Therefore, since he simply found the pin, he was successful but not the main component of the story.

Here is where I think the pin really gains some meaning (and I'm dwelling on the pin because I was determined to figure out what it truly meant). Because Brian Slade stole the pin from Jack Ferry, he isn't really an original. He grabbed success through unnecessary means. It seems as if his success is tainted and always will be. Brian stuggles with the presentation of himself and it seems that he is never really comfortable with everything that he is doing. It is all a stolen act which is representative of the pin. 

Now with Kurt Wilde, it is a different story. The pin is actually given to him during a meaningful moment between he and Brian. Due to the fact that the pin was given to him in confidence, the pin simply represents strength and glory for Kurt. He is sure of himself. He is a constant within the story. He knows who he is and he is comfortable with that persona. Therefore, the pin is simply a reinforcement of his personality. A momento to signify glam rock for Kurt. 

And then coming upon Arthur, he truly is the deserved of the pin. Arthur may not have been the main character, but I feel that he was the most realistic and relatable. His journey encountered many struggles and it was painful as an audience to watch him go through that. As an audience member, I just wanted him to truly come out of his shell and spread his wings into comfort. Whether it be within a homosexual relationship or just through music. The pin is truly a token of creativity for Arthur. Because it is given to him by Kurt, it is a nice gesture and truly represents everything that can be. It's as if Kurt is passing down his constant confidence within the pin to Arthur.

So I suppose what I am getting at is that the pin represents something different for each character. And that's important because I feel that Velvet Goldmine is all about finding something different about yourself and running with it. I just really adore that idea and I am so glad that we watched this movie.