John Cassavetes' "Faces" MoMA Film Series - Failed to Fascinate Me

The MoMA is a leading contemporary art museum.  There are numerous film series available to the public in their spacious screening rooms on the lower level; free to members.  Currently there is a John Cassavetes (JC) film series.  Today's film was "Faces" written & directed by JC & stars his wife Gena Rowlands.  I am unfamiliar with JC's movies and this was my first foray into any of MoMA's film series. There most have been more than 100 people in the audience with an average age above 75. The usher made an announcement to turn off phones & no snoring allowed.  "Faces" first released in 1968 earned JC an Acad. Award Nom & Writer's Guild Nom for best screenplay.  The legendary dir/screenwriter has been credited with being at the forefront of independent film making and is regarded by many as one of the most influential Amer. directors of the 20th C.  The black/white film is grainy & raw.  The mood is very dark & disturbing.  The beginning starts out like stereotypical madman segment with a brutish boss who lords over fawning secretaries.  The room begins to fill up with other male executives and one elderly female who seems to usurp the alpha male.  The group has gathered to screen a film "Faces" which is lauded by several executives & compared to "La Dolce Vita".  The film screened is also a black/white female which features the beautiful Gena Rowlands (JC's muse & wife) with 2 other male actors.  All 3 are extremely intoxicated.  Their boozing spills over into a taxi taking them to the Jeannie's home.  Jeannie is a high priced hooker & the men, Freddie & Richard (played by John Marley) jostle each for Jeannie's attentions.  The movie has a provocative stylistic look.  It's a hellish "La Dolce Vita" with a dark & disturbing aesthetic.  Richard returns home to his wife where the 2 seem at odds with themselves and each other.  I found the film irritating & off-putting.  I left shortly after the couple sat down to a salacious & awkward conversation and I decided to exit.  Perhaps, JC was a seminole director who inspired future filmmaker to break free of pandering to Hollywood cronyism & commercialism.