DVD Fanatic, those were some very good observations on the movie. It does have a very oppressive feel to it, and most of its plusses as well as its faults come from its low budget.

I even like the cops. It makes the movie even sadder that they're not really that funny. I definitely don't think this was a conscious decision on the part of Wes Craven, but the fact they show up, and are hokey and not really lighten the mood at all...its like you can tell from the beginning the cops are not going to help the situation at all because they're so fucking retarded. And, if you feel at all for the main characters, its depressing. Its like hope, in the form of the police, is introduced, but you know watching it that its a false hope...that the cops cannot save the girls...