Quite literally it would seem. Allen is Alvey and Hall is Keaton. Diane Keaton's actual surname is Hall and Allen called her Annie when they were in a relationship. I'm assuming Keaton was fine with this!
The film is full of great lines and classic scenes. The story is told through a series of sketches often in flashback with the present day Alvy in the scene to examine the situation. A great example of this is the scene in the classroom where a 6 year old Alvey kisses a girl for the first time, much to her and their teacher's disgust. The present day Alvey appears at the desk of his younger self to answer to his accusers. The girl's dialogue is an adult voice and probably Alvey himself, emphasising his constant neurotic self analysis.
Alvey is not a very sympathetic character. At times he is annoying, but still greatly amusing. His allergic reaction to LA, his obsession with how much sex he is having, a slapstick scene with him and Hall trying to get lobsters into a pan (repeated later quite poignantly.)
The film is a resounding success and it's influence is found in many of his later films, most evidently in the neurotic central character, not always played by Allen, but always there. The film that, I think, mostly renews the Alvey character is Husbands & Wives. A film that, in many ways, betters this. certainly in it's drama. Not present in the marathon though. Shame.
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