I am not aware of any movie that's not 'manipulative', whether its believing that a man dressed in Iron can fly--a man dressed in a Blue/Red Cape can fly--a spaceship can actually survive travelling though a black hole.
This is called voluntary suspension of disbelief.
Movies that portray such a sad message are not necessarily manipulative--and to call this remarkable movie that, is to entirely miss the point, and to understate the miraculous performances of the cast.
Hollywod is safe for the next generation with acting in the hands of the likes of Abigail Breslin. She is one beautiful and smart cookie who is capable of an Academy Award performance, as proved by this one movie. As good as she was, she was supported brilliantly if not upstaged by Sophia Vassileiva, and of course Cameron Diaz.
This is an A+ movie in anyone's book--anyone who says otherwise, either, A) Didn't see it or B) Is the laziest reviewer on the planet...
Don't miss this--it's a classic!!