However, the loss of the child was done effectively. The fact that they didn't make the child a character I think was a move away from cheap sentimentalization of this issue. Use of the child and loss of a relationship (divorce) I think were important to the idea of going through with things even if they "end" poorly, particularly since she know longer views it as the end. I actually think both of those things, while used cheaply in many other movies, were used well in this case.