I felt sorry for her the whole time. She wasn't being malicious, she had emotional problems that she just couldn't help. And it's understandable. Near the end especially it got so sad. Annette Benning did a wonderful job in this movie.
I've thought about this many times - I truly hope my long-time girlfriend dies before I do so that she won't have to go through anything like what this woman went through.
hmmm--your lucky girlfriend!
sharethat is so thoughtful.. as my wedding date approached, i had some massive second thoughts - not because of cold feet or because i didn't want to commit myself to my husband for the rest of my life, but because i didn't want to set myself up to have to cope with his death after being in love with him for decades. my illogical mind was saying, "if you break up now, then you've just broken up - he hasn't died. if you get married and he dies first, you'll have lost the man you love and there's no way of getting him back." (for the record, i wasn't crazy - i married the man!)
but i can totally understand Nikki's desire to just say her husband left her rather than that he died - sooo much easier to cope with. and i can totally understand her desire to be close with a man who resembles her late husband - i don't think it's healthy, and i don't think it was fair to Tom, but i can understand a fractured mind finding solace in it. i felt very sorry for Nikki, too.
You do realise the film was fiction and utter nonsense. Judging by your comments I suggest your girlfriend leave you immediately, that's if she hasn't already. You are a sick puppy my friend.