Was this really MBP, and a man directed this? (Spoilers)

Some people have been throwing around Munchhausen's by Proxy as to what she was doing to the little boys, and I think the movie was strongly implying it too, but technically, she gained no attention or sympathy for the abuse she was inflicting. In fact, she hid Ethan being ill from doctors and the older brother, and the previous boy "drowned" without anyone knowing he was sick. However, she didn't consider herself a sadist and was obsessed with being a caregiver. So, would her behavior be classified as MBP?

I don't think the husband filled the role of her audience, as he was an ineffectual man. All men in the movie were spineless victims, from the husband to the older brother to the quiet, weak little brother. The males were either dominated or saved by the two women, who were seemingly only a match for each other. I was surprised to find out this was directed by a man; watching this, I had assumed this was a female-driven production.