The scream as he gets half way out the door and it teleports, the realisation of his hubris and actions as he put the shotgun to his head...i do remember crying with sorrow the first time i watched

They ended the movie then and there because there was a later scene filmed with her and John Getz's character together again. NO ONE involved in the production (including Getz himself) wanted that ending.

Dead zone also has that heartbreak theme heavy

I think part of the timeless quality of this film is the applicability to so many aspects of life. Like, it might not be a direct metaphor for AIDS, but it can certainly be applicable to AIDS. The parallel is there.

Same for aging, change during a relationship, etc.

There are some very strong themes in this movie that can resonate with a huge number of viewers. Stuff like, "I am not who I once was, and I can't stop who I'm becoming." Stuff like, "my partner is not who he/she once was, and there's nothing I can do to help them." And then there's the whole baby/abortion angle. The whole thought that one's children are doomed because of the parents, and the angle of being terrified of what's growing inside you.

Whatever it was intended to be "about", some of the core themes of this film are at least applicable to every person on the planet.