Someone on the IMDB has advanced a most bizarre theory: that Max and Noodles are literally the same person, as in Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in "Fight Club".

I strongly disagree, I think that there are
way too many holes in the story for that theory to be applicable. But I must admit I hadn't heard it before. What do you think?
Here's the original thread, for your consumption:
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0087843/board/nest/34171943