Hotel New Hampshire, a 1984 adaptation of John Irving's novel, remains a peculiar entry in Jodie Foster's filmography despite her consistent defence of it. The film, which paired Foster with Rob Lowe and Wilford Brimley, flopped commercially upon release, partly because its marketing—featuring a cartoon bear—suggested a family-friendly adventure rather than the emotionally complex, tonal hybrid audiences actually encountered. Foster attributes the poor reception to the film's refusal to settle comfortably into any single genre, moving between comedy and deeply uncomfortable dramatic moments in ways that left viewers uncertain and uneasy.

The film's distinctive qualities—Irving's characteristic blending of mundane family dynamics with surreal, melancholic themes of suffering and alienation—appear increasingly valuable in retrospect. Both Foster and Lowe have spoken warmly of their experience making it, with Lowe later describing Foster as "the greatest American actress, director and friend anyone could ever have." While the film's marketing failure and divisive tone prevented mainstream appreciation at the time, its refusal to conform to conventional storytelling patterns now appeals to audiences willing to approach it on its own terms, suggesting that Irving adaptations may benefit from patient reconsideration rather than initial dismissal.