This charming break-up movie needs less cliches and more stuffing.

“Sweethearts” is a made-for-Max comedy that takes place before Thanksgiving, because the two main characters want to break up with their spouses before this holiday. It makes sense considering that day is a time to be thankful. The less pain on a holiday, the better. Or maybe it will be stuck to them on that day. Im not sure. I’m thankful the film has its heart in the right place, but when it comes to the screenplay and comedy, it needs a little more stuffing and a little less formulas.

We meet two platonic best friends-the tough Jamie (Kiernan Shipka, who was last seen unfortunately in “Red One”) and the pushover Ben (Nico Hiraga from “Booksmart”)-in college, who are in different long distance relationships. Although, according to a movie law, wisely established by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in “When Harry Met Sally,” they seem to be the better matches than their spouses. And amazingly enough, that Rob Reiner classic has been referenced twice in this movie. So, “Sweethearts” acknowledges it, but it also acknowledges that they’re better off being friends than lovers. Not that I’m spoiling anything for you.

Her selfish boyfriend Simon (Charlie Hall) is indulged in his own appendage and body, while his spoiled girlfriend Claire (Ava DeMary), who still in high school in Ohio because she had to repeat the first grade, texts and calls him nonstop for stupid and needy things. For example, she has to sing the National Anthem at homecoming, but she doesn’t know the lyrics. The different versions of “Father of the Bride” had a better excuse for almost calling off the wedding than this girl has at bugging her boyfriend.

Jamie and Ben are both sick and tired of their spouses, so they decide to break up with them the night before Thanksgiving. But complications emerge, and they need help from their gay friend Palmer (Caleb Hearon), who works at Euro Disney, to make sure their break up plan works out.

His segments are a lot more interesting than what the break-up story provides, because he needs to come out of the closet in front of his former classmates and coach (Tramell Tillman). In fact, I think this is where the film should have gone, because it has more consideration, while the break-up side has to deal with “Superbad” like situations, which are more exhausting than comical.

Shipka and Hiraga both have a likable chemistry, especially the way they criticize each other for their own issues and how they handle them. Hearon does some charming work as the gay friend, who needs to find his inner self. And Christine Taylor (whom I haven’t heard from in years) is fun as Ben’s dotty mother. So, we at least have some entertaining performances in a mediocre film.

Now when it comes to movies and shows about platonic relationships (see “Together Together” and watch “Platonic” as examples), there’s usually a strong spark within their leading characters, and we wonder if things are supposed to be more or less with them. Not every movie about a man and a woman is a love story, and “Sweethearts” likes to make that clear. But in terms of the story and character development, we feel as though this story has been told before and needs the right ingredients for this movie. Especially if it takes place before, during, and after Thanksgiving.

“Sweethearts” has its good intentions, but it doesn’t really take off and lacks a certain “When Harry Met Sally” iconic charm. It’s not really something worth rushing to watch before or after dinner. It’s more sweet and outspoken than it is funny and original. And this is coming from a critic who enjoys films with merge those two adjectives quite well.

Streaming on Max This Thursday