The story did not need the frame narrative. Frame devices package stories into pre-fabricated genres. Ricky, who finds crystalline beauty in a dead bird. They changed it anyhow, but at the end of the day it is still Alan Ball's screenplay. Yes, land masses rubbing against each other also create destructive earthquakes.
Development can sometimes be a harsh business.
Writing a screenplay is a lot like being a parent. At some point you send your child out into the world where other people participate in his life and development. Inevitably, you will not always like the direction your child goes, but the only way to avoid that is to chain the kid to the bed. It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes an army to make a movie. Movie making is inherently collaborative.