"I've done both theatre and film and the fact is if you start believing, if you start reading things and they're good reviews - you believe that and you're lost, and then you read bad reviews and you think that's true and you read that and you're lost"

In this quote, Jenny Agutter reviews the effect of external recognition on an artist's mind, whether operating in theatre or movie. She underscores the volatility and possible destructiveness of getting too soaked up in others' opinions, whether they are positive or negative.

Agutter begins by acknowledging her experiences in both filmmaking and theater, recommending an axiom that covers different mediums of performance artistry. Her insight talks to the nature of creative markets, where reviews and critiques are a regular aspect of the workplace.

The first part of the quote highlights the danger of believing positive evaluations. When she states, "if you start believing things and they're good evaluations - you believe that and you're lost," Agutter points to the sexy nature of appreciation. Favorable evaluations can inflate one's ego and create a dependence on external recognition, removing the artist from their intrinsic inspirations and perhaps even stalling their growth. This suggests that an overreliance on favorable support can lead an artist to rest on their laurels, restraining further development and self-exploration.

On the other hand, Agutter notes that negative reviews can be just as destructive if internalized, as indicated by, "you check out bad reviews and you believe that's true and you check out that, and you're lost." The tip here is that focusing too much on criticism can likewise disorient and prevent an artist. Unfavorable evaluations, while in some cases constructive, can cause self-doubt and a loss of self-confidence, potentially stifling imagination and innovation.

The repeating of "you're lost" highlights a central style: grounding one's self-respect and innovative motivations in external viewpoints dangers losing one's direction and sense of self. Agutter seems to advocate for a well balanced and self-reflective approach to feedback, urging artists to seek internal recognition and maintain a stable course powered by individual conviction rather than external recognition or criticism. Through this lens, she indicates that true artistic fulfillment and strength come from within, rather than from the fluctuating opinions of others.