I was a good bit older, but it really did hit hard for me, having recently had a friend die of aids when I saw it that first time. And I remember him being just as blindsided by it all as the main character was. Don't want to spoil it for anyone thinking of giving it a watch because of this post and comments, but it was a similar situation, just with my friend continuing on after the movie ends.

There's a lot of fucked up things in the world, and just like you said, your can be careful and still end up wrecked.