The expression "Ex und Hopp" was used when a bottle of beer was consumed: empty?, than get rid of it. Andy Bausch uses the symbolic meaning of it in this film about a ruthless entrepeneur within the beer market. But more than that, Bausch succeeds in using the subject to show the ruthlessness of the West German economy in the mid 60's and the painful conclusion that ruthlessness was rewarded.
Though Bausch may not be a very good story teller (of some scenes it is often not clear right away at which point in the story we are), his grotesque satire is very amusing and funny. There are a great number of off-beat characters to keep the interest. The main character (the entrepeneur) is played by Mario Adorf, who portrays him as man you do not want to be seen drinking a beer with. Beautiful Desiree Noschbusch is likewise fine as the secretary (yes, thàt kind of secretary).
