The Script/Dialogue

"I primarily take issue with how Paltrow's character only EVER talks about her husband to her new boyfriend ..."

That's not a bad script. That's how it happens when you're trying not to deal with grief and guilt.

"... and the way in which plane crash situations seems to serendipitously pop up every time Ben Affleck enters the scene."

I may need to watch it again, but I'm pretty sure Affleck was in at least 90% of the scenes and also pretty sure that there was one plane crash. If you're talking about Scott's video game, then once again, you have to gain an understanding for how people deal with grief; in this case, eight year-old kids.

These are actually two extremely insightful plot devices that demonstrate how we handle loss, and how we can blind ourselves to the overt message while seeking something deeper. Another is Abby referring to her dead husband as divorced to avoid people's pity, "because everyone's divorced."

Wow, this a late response, but I just saw it. My amateurish opinion is similar to yours. I agree that the script is stilted and awkward in places, but not with a "natural" awkwardness. Funny, I'm not a fan or hater of either Affleck or Paltrow, but I thought they both did quite well given what they had to work with. In fact, I've never seen Paltrow look so natural and accessible as a person, rather than an actress in a role. They kept the film running fairly well. I gave it a 5.